Day 145 The Bible in a Year (Orthodox canon)

Nehemiah 6

1 Now it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and Gesam the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and [that] there was no opening left therein; ([but] hitherto I had not set up the doors on the gates;) 2 that Sanaballat and Gesam sent to me, saying, Come and let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono. But they [were] plotting to do me mischief. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, and I shall not be able to come down, lest the work should cease: as soon as I shall have finished it, I will come down to you. 4 And they sent to me [again] to this effect; and I sent them [word] accordingly. 5 Then Sanaballat sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 And in it was written, It has been reported among the Gentiles that thou and the Jews are planning to revolt: therefore thou art building the wall, and thou wilt be a king to them. 7 And moreover thou hast appointed prophets to thyself, that thou mightest dwell in Jerusalem as a king over Juda: and now these words will be reported to the king. Now then, come, let us take counsel together. 8 And I sent to him, saying, It has not happened according to these words, [even] as thou sayest, for thou framest them falsely out of thy heart. 9 For all were trying to alarm us, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from this work, and it shall not be done. Now therefore I have strengthened my hands. 10 And I came into the house of Semei the son of Dalaia the son of Metabeel, and he was shut up; and he said, Let us assemble together in the house of God, in the midst of it, and let us shut the doors of it; for they are coming by night to slay thee. 11 And I said, Who is the man that shall enter into the house, that he may live? 12 And I observed, and, behold, God had not sent him, for the prophecy was a fable [devised] against me: 13 and Tobias and Sanaballat had hired against me a multitude, that I might be frightened, and do this, and sin, and become to them an ill name, that they might reproach me. 14 Remember, O God, Tobias and Sanaballat, according to these their deeds, and the prophetess Noadia, and the rest of the prophets who tried to alarm me. 15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the [month] Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard [of it], that all the nations round about us feared, and great alarm fell upon them, and they knew that it was of our God that this work should be finished. 17 And in those days letters came to Tobias from many nobles of Juda, and those of Tobias came to them. 18 For many in Juda were bound to him by oath, because he was son-in-law of Sechenias the son of Herae; and Jonan his son had taken the daughter of Mesulam the son of Barachia to wife. 19 And they reported his words to me, and carried out my words to him: and Tobias sent letters to terrify me.

Nehemiah 7

1 And it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, 2 that I gave charge to Ananias my brother, and Ananias the ruler of the palace, over Jerusalem: for he was a true man, and one that feared God beyond many. 3 And I said to them, The gates of Jerusalem shall not be opened till sunrise; and while they are still watching, let the doors be shut, and bolted; and set watches of them that dwell in Jerusalem, [every] man at his post, and [every] man over against his house. 4 Now the city [was] wide and large; and the people [were] few in it, and the houses were not built. 5 And God put [it] into my heart, and I gathered the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, into companies: and I found a register of the company that came up first, and I found written in it as follows: 6 Now these [are] the children of the country, that came up from captivity, of the number which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon carried away, and they returned to Jerusalem and to Juda, [every] man to his city; 7 with Zorobabel, and Jesus, and Neemia, Azaria, and Reelma, Naemani, Mardochæus, Balsan, Maspharath, Esdra, Boguia, Inaum, Baana, Masphar, men of the people of Israel. 8 The children of Phoros, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two. 9 The children of Saphatia, three hundred and seventy-two. 10 The children of Era, six hundred and fifty-two. 11 The children of Phaath Moab, with the children of Jesus and Joab, two thousand six hundred and eighteen. 12 The children of Ælam, a thousand two hundred and fifty-four. 13 The children of Zathuia, eight hundred and forty-five. 14 The children of Zacchu, seven hundred and sixty. 15 The children of Banui, six hundred and forty-eight. 16 The children of Bebi, six hundred and twenty-eight. 17 The children of Asgad, two thousand three hundred and twenty-two. 18 The children of Adonicam, six hundred and sixty-seven. 19 The children of Bagoi, two thousand and sixty-seven. 20 The children of Edin, six hundred and fifty-five. 21 The children of Ater, [the son] of Ezekias, ninety-eight. 22 The children of Esam, three hundred and twenty-eight. 23 The children of Besei, three hundred and twenty-four. 24 The children of Ariph, a hundred and twelve: the children of Asen, two hundred and twenty-three. 25 The children of Gabaon, ninety-five. 26 The children of Bæthalem, a hundred and twenty-three: the children of Atopha, fifty-six. 27 The children of Anathoth, a hundred and twenty-eight. 28 The men of Bethasmoth, forty-two. 29 The men of Cariatharim, Caphira, and Beroth, seven hundred and forty-three. 30 The men of Arama and Gabaa, six hundred and twenty. 31 The men of Machemas, a hundred and twenty-two. 32 The men of Bæthel and Ai, a hundred and twenty-three. 33 The men of Nabia, a hundred and fifty-two. 34 The men of Elamaar, one thousand two hundred and fifty-two. 35 The children of Eram, three hundred and twenty. 36 The children of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five. 37 The children of Lodadid and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-one. 38 The children of Sanana, three thousand nine hundred and thirty. 39 The priests; the sons of Jodae, [pertaining] to the house of Jesus, nine hundred and seventy-three. 40 The children of Emmer, one thousand and fifty-two. 41 The children of Phaseur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven. 42 The children of Eram, a thousand and seventeen. 43 The Levites; the children of Jesus the son of Cadmiel, with the children of Uduia, seventy-four. 44 The singers; the children of Asaph, a hundred and forty-eight. 45 The porters; the children of Salum, the children of Ater, the children of Telmon, the children of Acub, the children of Atita, the children of Sabi, a hundred and thirty-eight. 46 The Nathinim; the children of Sea, the children of Aspha, the children of Tabaoth, 47 the children of Kiras, the children of Asuia, the children of Phadon, 48 the children of Labana, the children of Agaba, the children of Selmei, 49 the children of Anan, the children of Gadel, the children of Gaar, 50 the children of Raaia, the children of Rasson, the children of Necoda, 51 the children of Gezam, the children of Ozi, the children of Phese, 52 the children of Besi, the children of Meinon, the children of Nephosasi, 53 the children of Bacbuc, the children of Achipha, the children of Arur, 54 the children of Basaloth, the children of Mida, the children of Adasan, 55 the children of Barcue, the children of Sisarath, the children of Thema, 56 the children of Nisia, the children of Atipha. 57 The children of the servants of Solomon; the children of Sutei, the children of Sapharat, the children of Pherida, 58 the children of Jelel, the children of Dorcon, the children of Gadael, 59 the children of Saphatia, the children of Ettel, the children of Phacarath, the children of Sabaim, the children of Emim. 60 All the Nathinim, and children of the servants of Solomon, [were] three hundred and ninety-two. 61 And these went up from Thelmeleth, Thelaresa, Charub, Eron, Jemer: but they could not declare the houses of their families, or their seed, whether they were of Israel. 62 The children of Dalaia, the children of Tobia, the children of Necoda, six hundred and forty-two. 63 And of the priests; the children of Ebia, the children of Acos, the children of Berzelli, for they took wives of the daughters of Berzelli the Galaadite, and they were called by their name. 64 These sought the pedigree of their company, and it was not found, and they were removed [as polluted] from the priesthood. 65 And the Athersastha said, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until a priest should stand up to give light. 66 And all the congregation was about forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, 67 besides their men-servants and their maid-servants: these were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven: and the singing-men and singing-women, two hundred and forty-five. 69 Two thousand seven hundred asses. 70 And part of the heads of families gave into the treasury to Neemias for the work a thousand pieces of gold, fifty bowls, and thirty priests' [garments]. 71 And [some] of the heads of families gave into the treasuries of the work, twenty thousand pieces of gold, and two thousand three hundred pounds of silver. 72 And the rest of the people gave twenty thousand pieces of gold, and two thousand two hundred pounds of silver, and sixty-seven priests' [garments]. 73 And the priests, and Levites, and porters, and singers, and [some] of the people, and the Nathinim, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities.

Nehemiah 8

1 And the seventh month arrived, and the children of Israel [were settled] in their cities; and all the people were gathered as one man to the broad place before the water-gate, and they told Esdras the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord commanded Israel. 2 So Esdras the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and every one who had understanding [was present] to hearken, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read in it from the time of sun-rise to the middle of the day, before the men and the women; and they understood [it], and the ears of all the people [were attentive] to the book of the law. 4 And Esdras the scribe stood on a wooden stage, and there stood next to him Mattathias, and Samæas, and Ananias, and Urias, and Chelcia, and Maasia, on his right hand; and on his left Phadæas, and Misael, and Melchias, and Asom, and Asabadma, and Zacharias, and Mesollam. 5 And Esdras opened the book before all the people, for he was above the people; and it came to pass when he had opened it, [that] all the people stood. 6 And Esdras blessed the Lord, the great God: and all the people answered, and said, Amen, lifting up their hands: and they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their face to the ground. 7 And Jesus and Banaias and Sarabias instructed the people in the law, and the people [stood] in their place. 8 And they read in the book of the law of God, and Esdras taught, and instructed them distinctly in the knowledge of the Lord, and the people understood [the law] in the reading. 9 And Neemias, and Esdras the priest and scribe, and the Levites, and they that instructed the people, spoke and said to all the people, It is a holy day to the Lord our God; do not mourn, nor weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10 And [the governor] said to them, Go, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them that have nothing; for the day is holy to our Lord: and faint not, for the Lord is our strength. 11 And the Levites caused all the people to be silent, saying, Be silent, for [it is] a holy day, and despond not. 12 So all the people departed to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, for they understood the words which he made known to them. 13 And on the second day the heads of families assembled with all the people, [also] the priests and Levites, to Esdras the scribe, to attend to all the words of the law. 14 And they found written in the law which the Lord commanded Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths, in the feast in the seventh month: 15 and that they should sound with trumpets in all their cities, and in Jerusalem. And Esdras said, Go forth to the mountain, and bring branches of olive, and branches of cypress trees, and branches of myrtle, and branches of palm trees, and branches of [every] thick tree, to make booths, according to that which was written. 16 And the people went forth, and brought [them], and made booths for themselves, each one upon his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the streets of the city, and as far as the gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the congregation who had returned from the captivity, made booths, and dwelt in booths: for the children of Israel [had] not done so from the days of Jesus the son of Naue until that day: and there was great joy. 18 And [Esdras] read in the book of the law of God daily, from the first day even to the last day: and they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.

Acts 15

1 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.” 2 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others of them to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 3 They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. 7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.” 12 All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them. 13 After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, 16 ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up 17 that the rest of men may seek after the Lord: all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’ 18 “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity. 19 Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. 23 They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. 24 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; 25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.” 30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to the apostles. 34 — 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. 38 But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work. 39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.