Acts 8:4-25 | God Uses Bad Opportunities

Prayer Journal

How to Multiply the Gospel // Gospel X - Multiplying the Gospel

Christmas Vocations Part III

Overwhelmed No More: Balancing Life’s Changes a 5-Day Devotional Plan By: Alicia Renee’ Roberts

Training the Will

Multiplying the Gospel // Gospel X - Multiplying the Message

Ephesians

Lost Kings | Warriors, Shepherds, and Kings

Come Up Higher: A Call to Deeper Fellowship and Purpose

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bkNEH">
        <div class="chapter ch8" data-usfm="NEH.8">
            <div class="label">8</div><div class="nb"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.8.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> had commanded for Israel.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.8.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.8.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.8.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.8.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.8.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.8.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.8.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.8.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Ezra praised the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, &#8220;Amen! Amen!&#8221; Then they bowed down and worshiped the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> with their faces to the ground.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.8.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.8.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">The Levites&#8212;Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah&#8212;instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.8.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">8:8 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">God, translating it</span></span></span><span class="content"> and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.8.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.8.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, &#8220;This day is holy to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> your God. Do not mourn or weep.&#8221; For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.8.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.8.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Nehemiah said, &#8220;Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is your strength.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.8.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.8.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">The Levites calmed all the people, saying, &#8220;Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.8.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.8.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.8.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.8.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.8.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">They found written in the Law, which the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.8.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: &#8220;Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters&#8221;&#8212;as it is written.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">8:15 </span><span class="ft">See Lev. 23:37-40.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.8.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.8.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.8.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.8.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.8.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.</span></span></div>
        </div>
    </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bkNEH">
        <div class="chapter ch9" data-usfm="NEH.9">
            <div class="label">9</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Israelites Confess Their Sins</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.9.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.9.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.9.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> their God. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.9.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> their God. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.9.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">And the Levites&#8212;Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah&#8212;said: &#8220;Stand up and praise the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">9:5 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">God for ever and ever</span></span></span><span class="content">&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.9.5"><span class="content">&#8220;Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.9.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">You alone are the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.9.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.9.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">&#8220;You are the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.9.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.9.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.9.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">&#8220;You saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt; you heard their cry at the Red Sea.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">9:9 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">the Sea of Reeds</span></span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.9.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">You sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the people of his land, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians treated them. You made a name for yourself, which remains to this day. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.9.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.9.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.9.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.9.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">&#8220;You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and laws that are just and right, and decrees and commands that are good. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.9.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.9.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.9.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.9.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">&#8220;But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.9.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.9.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, &#8216;This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,&#8217; or when they committed awful blasphemies.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.9.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.9.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">&#8220;Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.9.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.9.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.9.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NEH.9.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">&#8220;You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">9:22 </span><span class="ft">One Hebrew manuscript and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">Sihon, that is, the country of the</span></span></span><span class="content"> king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NEH.9.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their parents to enter and possess. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NEH.9.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Their children went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you gave the Canaanites into their hands, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NEH.9.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NEH.9.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NEH.9.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">&#8220;But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law. They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NEH.9.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">So you delivered them into the hands of their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NEH.9.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NEH.9.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">&#8220;But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NEH.9.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NEH.9.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">&#8220;You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, &#8216;The person who obeys them will live by them.&#8217; Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NEH.9.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NEH.9.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NEH.9.31"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="NEH.9.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">&#8220;Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes&#8212;the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="NEH.9.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly. </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="NEH.9.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our ancestors did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the statutes you warned them to keep. </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="NEH.9.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="NEH.9.35"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="NEH.9.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">&#8220;But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="NEH.9.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Agreement of the People</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="NEH.9.37"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="NEH.9.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">&#8220;In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">9:38 </span><span class="ft">In Hebrew texts this verse (9:38) is numbered 10:1.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="b"></div>
        </div>
    </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkREV">
      <div class="chapter ch18" data-usfm="REV.18">
         <div class="label">18</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Lament Over Fallen Babylon</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="REV.18.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.18.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">With a mighty voice he shouted:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.18.2"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">18:2 </span><span class="ft">Isaiah 21:9</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.18.2"><span class="content">She has become a dwelling for demons</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.18.2"><span class="content">and a haunt for every impure spirit,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.18.2"><span class="content">a haunt for every unclean bird,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.18.2"><span class="content">a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.18.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="REV.18.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">For all the nations have drunk</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="REV.18.3"><span class="content">the maddening wine of her adulteries.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="REV.18.3"><span class="content">The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="REV.18.3"><span class="content">and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Warning to Escape Babylon&#8217;s Judgment</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="REV.18.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="REV.18.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Then I heard another voice from heaven say:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="REV.18.4"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Come out of her, my people,&#8217;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">18:4 </span><span class="ft">Jer. 51:45</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="REV.18.4"><span class="content">so that you will not share in her sins,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="REV.18.4"><span class="content">so that you will not receive any of her plagues;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="REV.18.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="REV.18.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">for her sins are piled up to heaven,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="REV.18.5"><span class="content">and God has remembered her crimes.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="REV.18.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="REV.18.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Give back to her as she has given;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="REV.18.6"><span class="content">pay her back double for what she has done.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="REV.18.6"><span class="content">Pour her a double portion from her own cup.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="REV.18.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.18.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Give her as much torment and grief</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.18.7"><span class="content">as the glory and luxury she gave herself.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.18.7"><span class="content">In her heart she boasts,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.18.7"><span class="content">&#8216;I sit enthroned as queen.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.18.7"><span class="content">I am not a widow;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">18:7 </span><span class="ft">See Isaiah 47:7,8.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.18.7"><span class="content">I will never mourn.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.18.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.18.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.18.8"><span class="content">death, mourning and famine.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.18.8"><span class="content">She will be consumed by fire,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.18.8"><span class="content">for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Threefold Woe Over Babylon&#8217;s Fall</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.18.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="REV.18.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">&#8220;When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.18.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.18.10"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Woe! Woe to you, great city,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.18.10"><span class="content">you mighty city of Babylon!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.18.10"><span class="content">In one hour your doom has come!&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.18.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="REV.18.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">&#8220;The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="REV.18.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="REV.18.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="REV.18.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="REV.18.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">&#8220;They will say, &#8216;The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.&#8217; </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="REV.18.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="REV.18.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">and cry out:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="REV.18.16"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Woe! Woe to you, great city,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="REV.18.16"><span class="content">dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="REV.18.16"><span class="content">and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="REV.18.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="REV.18.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="REV.18.17"><span class="content">&#8220;Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="REV.18.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, &#8216;Was there ever a city like this great city?&#8217; </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.18.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.18.19"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Woe! Woe to you, great city,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.18.19"><span class="content">where all who had ships on the sea</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.18.19"><span class="content">became rich through her wealth!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.18.19"><span class="content">In one hour she has been brought to ruin!&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.18.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="REV.18.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">&#8220;Rejoice over her, you heavens!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="REV.18.20"><span class="content">Rejoice, you people of God!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="REV.18.20"><span class="content">Rejoice, apostles and prophets!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="REV.18.20"><span class="content">For God has judged her</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="REV.18.20"><span class="content">with the judgment she imposed on you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Finality of Babylon&#8217;s Doom</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="REV.18.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="REV.18.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="REV.18.21"><span class="content">&#8220;With such violence</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="REV.18.21"><span class="content">the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="REV.18.21"><span class="content">never to be found again.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="REV.18.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="REV.18.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="REV.18.22"><span class="content">will never be heard in you again.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="REV.18.22"><span class="content">No worker of any trade</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="REV.18.22"><span class="content">will ever be found in you again.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="REV.18.22"><span class="content">The sound of a millstone</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="REV.18.22"><span class="content">will never be heard in you again.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="REV.18.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.18.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">The light of a lamp</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.18.23"><span class="content">will never shine in you again.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.18.23"><span class="content">The voice of bridegroom and bride</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.18.23"><span class="content">will never be heard in you again.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.18.23"><span class="content">Your merchants were the world&#8217;s important people.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.18.23"><span class="content">By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.18.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="REV.18.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">In her was found the blood of prophets and of God&#8217;s holy people,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="REV.18.24"><span class="content">of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.&#8221;</span></span></div>
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We Grow: A Journey of Drawing Closer to GodSample

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