Kings Who Break Covenants, Leaders Who Keep Faith

1. The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, with all his army, all the kingdoms of the earth that were under his dominion, and all the peoples, were fighting against Jerusalem and against all its cities, saying: 2. “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Go, and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Yahweh says, “Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire. 3. You won’t escape out of his hand, but will surely be taken and delivered into his hand. Your eyes will see the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he will speak with you mouth to mouth. You will go to Babylon.”’ 4. “Yet hear Yahweh’s word, O Zedekiah king of Judah: Yahweh says concerning you, ‘You won’t die by the sword. 5. You will die in peace; and with the burnings of your fathers, the former kings who were before you, so they will make a burning for you. They will lament you, saying, “Ah Lord!” for I have spoken the word,’ says Yahweh.” 6. Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke all these words to Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem, 7. when the king of Babylon’s army was fighting against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that were left, against Lachish and against Azekah; for these alone remained of the cities of Judah as fortified cities. 8. The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty to them; 9. that every man should let his male servant, and every man his female servant, who is a Hebrew or a Hebrewess, go free; that no one should make bondservants of them, of a Jew his brother. 10. All the princes and all the people obeyed who had entered into the covenant, that everyone should let his male servant, and everyone his female servant go free, that no one should make bondservants of them any more. They obeyed and let them go; 11. but afterwards they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids. 12. Therefore Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, 13. “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: ‘I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying, 14. At the end of seven years, every man of you shall release his brother who is a Hebrew, who has been sold to you, and has served you six years. You shall let him go free from you; but your fathers didn’t listen to me, and didn’t incline their ear. 15. You had now turned, and had done that which is right in my eyes, in every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor. You had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name; 16. but you turned and profaned my name, and every man caused his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom you had let go free at their pleasure, to return. You brought them into subjection, to be to you for servants and for handmaids.’” 17. Therefore Yahweh says: “You have not listened to me, to proclaim liberty, every man to his brother, and every man to his neighbor. Behold, I proclaim to you a liberty,” says Yahweh, “to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine. I will make you be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth. 18. I will give the men who have transgressed my covenant, who have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts: 19. the princes of Judah, the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf; 20. I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their life. Their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and for the animals of the earth. 21. “I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes into the hands of their enemies, into the hands of those who seek their life and into the hands of the king of Babylon’s army, who has gone away from you. 22. Behold, I will command,” says Yahweh, “and cause them to return to this city. They will fight against it, take it, and burn it with fire. I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.” 1. The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying, 2. “Go to the house of the Rechabites, and speak to them, and bring them into Yahweh’s house, into one of the rooms, and give them wine to drink.” 3. Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, with his brothers, all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites; 4. and I brought them into Yahweh’s house, into the room of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God, which was by the room of the princes, which was above the room of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the threshold. 5. I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites bowls full of wine, and cups; and I said to them, “Drink wine!” 6. But they said, “We will drink no wine; for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall drink no wine, neither you, nor your sons, forever. 7. You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, or have any; but all your days you shall dwell in tents, that you may live many days in the land in which you live as nomads.’ 8. We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters; 9. and not to build houses for ourselves to dwell in. We have no vineyard, field, or seed; 10. but we have lived in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us. 11. But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, we said, ‘Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians; so we will dwell at Jerusalem.’” 12. Then Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah, saying, 13. “Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not receive instruction to listen to my words?” says Yahweh. 14. “The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; and to this day they drink none, for they obey their father’s commandment; but I have spoken to you, rising up early and speaking, and you have not listened to me. 15. I have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Every one of you must return now from his evil way, amend your doings, and don’t go after other gods to serve them, then you will dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers:’ but you have not inclined your ear, nor listened to me. 16. The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to me.”’ 17. “Therefore Yahweh, the God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them, but they have not heard; and I have called to them, but they have not answered.’” 18. Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he commanded you;’ 19. therefore Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jonadab the son of Rechab will not lack a man to stand before me forever.’” 1. In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, 2. “Take a scroll of a book, and write in it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day. 3. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I intend to do to them; that they may each return from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” 4. Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all Yahweh’s words, which he had spoken to him, on a scroll of a book. 5. Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, “I am restricted. I can’t go into Yahweh’s house. 6. Therefore you go, and read from the scroll which you have written from my mouth, Yahweh’s words, in the ears of the people in Yahweh’s house on the fast day. Also you shall read them in the ears of all Judah who come out of their cities. 7. It may be they will present their supplication before Yahweh, and will each return from his evil way; for Yahweh has pronounced great anger and wrath against this people.” 8. Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book Yahweh’s words in Yahweh’s house. 9. Now in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, all the people in Jerusalem, and all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem, proclaimed a fast before Yahweh. 10. Then Baruch read the words of Jeremiah from the book in Yahweh’s house, in the room of Gemariah the son of Shaphan, the scribe, in the upper court, at the entry of the new gate of Yahweh’s house, in the ears of all the people. 11. When Micaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all Yahweh’s words, 12. he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s room: and behold, all the princes were sitting there, Elishama the scribe, Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, Elnathan the son of Achbor, Gemariah the son of Shaphan, Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes. 13. Then Micaiah declared to them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people. 14. Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, “Take in your hand the scroll in which you have read in the ears of the people, and come.” So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand, and came to them. 15. They said to him, “Sit down now, and read it in our hearing.” So Baruch read it in their hearing. 16. Now when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one toward another, and said to Baruch, “We will surely tell the king of all these words.” 17. They asked Baruch, saying, “Tell us now, how did you write all these words at his mouth?” 18. Then Baruch answered them, “He dictated all these words to me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.” 19. Then the princes said to Baruch, “You and Jeremiah go hide. Don’t let anyone know where you are.” 20. They went in to the king into the court; but they had laid up the scroll in the room of Elishama the scribe. Then they told all the words in the hearing of the king. 21. So the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll; and he took it out of the room of Elishama the scribe. Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king, and in the hearing of all the princes who stood beside the king. 22. Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month; and there was a fire in the brazier burning before him. 23. When Jehudi had read three or four leaves, the king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. 24. The king and his servants who heard all these words were not afraid, and didn’t tear their garments. 25. Moreover Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the scroll; but he would not listen to them. 26. The king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; but Yahweh hid them. 27. Then Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah, after the king had burned the scroll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, 28. “Take again another scroll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. 29. Concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah you shall say, ‘Yahweh says: “You have burned this scroll, saying, “Why have you written therein, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cause to cease from there man and animal?’”’ 30. Therefore Yahweh says concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: “He will have no one to sit on David’s throne. His dead body will be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. 31. I will punish him, his offspring, and his servants for their iniquity. I will bring on them, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them, but they didn’t listen.”’” 32. Then took Jeremiah another scroll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire; and many similar words were added to them.

1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope; 2. to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3. As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 4. and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith— 5. but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; 6. from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned away to vain talking; 7. desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm. 8. But we know that the law is good, if a person uses it lawfully, 9. as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10. for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; 11. according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12. And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; 13. although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14. The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15. The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16. However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. 17. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 18. This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare; 19. holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith; 20. of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme. 1. I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: 2. for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 4. who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. 5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6. who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times; 7. to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8. I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting. 9. In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; 10. but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works. 11. Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. 12. But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. 13. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14. Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; 15. but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety. 1. This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. 2. The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; 3. not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4. one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; 5. (but if a man doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) 6. not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7. Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8. Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; 9. holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10. Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless. 11. Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12. Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13. For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14. These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; 15. but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16. Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. 1. But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2. through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; 3. forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. 5. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. 6. If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. 7. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. 8. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. 9. This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. 10. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11. Command and teach these things. 12. Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. 13. Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. 14. Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. 15. Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. 16. Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1. Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 2. the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. 3. Honor widows who are widows indeed. 4. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5. Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. 6. But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 7. Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 8. But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 9. Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10. being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work. 11. But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; 12. having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13. Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14. I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 15. For already some have turned away after Satan. 16. If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed. 17. Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 18. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19. Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. 20. Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 21. I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22. Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure. 23. Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24. Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 25. In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden. 1. Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 2. Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. 3. If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 4. he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, 5. constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. 6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9. But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 10. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11. But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. 13. I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 14. that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; 15. which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16. who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. 17. Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18. that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19. laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life. 20. Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge; 21. which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

1. The words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him. 2. “Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! 3. Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. 4. It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’ 5. lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. 6. Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul: 7. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8. Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. 9. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.” 10. Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. 11. The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. 12. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13. She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. 14. She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. 15. She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. 16. She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. 17. She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night. 19. She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20. She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. 21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22. She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23. Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24. She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. 25. Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. 26. She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27. She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness. 28. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 29. “Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.” 30. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. 31. Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!