2 Corinthians 12; 1 Chronicles 1; 1 Chronicles 2; Habakkuk 3

2 Corinthians 12

1 It is necessary to boast; it is not helpful, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don't know; God knows.

3 I know that this man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-

4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.

5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me,

7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.

8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me.

9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.

10 So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have become a fool; you forced it on me. I ought to have been recommended by you, since I am in no way inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing.

12 The signs of an apostle were performed among you in all endurance-not only signs but also wonders and miracles.

13 So in what way were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Look! I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, for I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

16 Now granted, I have not burdened you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!

17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent you?

18 I urged Titus [to come], and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit and in the same footsteps?

19 You have thought all along that we were defending ourselves to you. [No], in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.

20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and I may not be found by you to be what you want; there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

21 I fear that when I come my God will again humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and promiscuity they practiced.

1 Chronicles 1

1 Adam, Seth, Enosh,

2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,

3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,

4 Noah, Noah's sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

5 Japheth's sons: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

6 Gomer's sons: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

7 Javan's sons: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

8 Ham's sons: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

9 Cush's sons: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabteca. Raama's sons: Sheba and Dedan.

10 Cush fathered Nimrod, who was the first to become a great warrior on earth.

11 Mizraim fathered Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,

12 Pathrusim, Casluhim (the Philistines came from them), and Caphtorim.

13 Canaan fathered Sidon, his firstborn, and Heth,

14 the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,

15 Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,

16 Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.

17 Shem's sons: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.

18 Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber.

19 Two sons were born to Eber. One of them was named Peleg, because the earth was divided during his lifetime, and the name of his brother was Joktan.

20 Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

22 Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,

23 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All of these were Joktan's sons.

24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,

25 Eber, Peleg, Reu,

26 Serug, Nahor, Terah,

27 and Abram (that is, Abraham).

28 Abraham's sons: Isaac and Ishmael.

29 These are their family records: Nebaioth, Ishmael's firstborn, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,

31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were Ishmael's sons.

32 The sons born to Keturah, Abraham's concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan's sons: Sheba and Dedan.

33 Midian's sons: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All of these were Keturah's sons.

34 Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac's sons: Esau and Israel.

35 Esau's sons: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

36 Eliphaz's sons: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek.

37 Reuel's sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

38 Seir's sons: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.

39 Lotan's sons: Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan's sister.

40 Shobal's sons: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. Zibeon's sons: Aiah and Anah.

41 Anah's son: Dishon. Dishon's sons: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

42 Ezer's sons: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. Dishan's sons: Uz and Aran.

43 These were the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites: Bela son of Beor. Bela's town was named Dinhabah.

44 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah ruled in his place.

45 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites ruled in his place.

46 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, ruled in his place. Hadad's town was named Avith.

47 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah ruled in his place.

48 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates River ruled in his place.

49 When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor ruled in his place.

50 When Baal-hanan died, Hadad ruled in his place. Hadad's city was named Pai, and his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, daughter of Me-zahab.

51 Then Hadad died. Edom's chiefs: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,

52 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,

53 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,

54 Magdiel, and Iram. These were Edom's chiefs.

1 Chronicles 2

1 These were Israel's sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,

2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

3 Judah's sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. [These] three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite woman. Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the Lord's sight, so He put him to death.

4 Judah's daughter-in-law Tamar bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.

5 Perez's sons: Hezron and Hamul.

6 Zerah's sons: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara-five in all.

7 Carmi's son: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel when he was unfaithful [by taking] what was devoted to destruction.

8 Ethan's son: Azariah.

9 Hezron's sons, who were born to him: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai.

10 Ram fathered Amminadab, and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, a leader of Judah's descendants.

11 Nahshon fathered Salma, and Salma fathered Boaz.

12 Boaz fathered Obed, and Obed fathered Jesse.

13 Jesse fathered Eliab, his firstborn; Abinadab was [born] second, Shimea third,

14 Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth,

15 Ozem sixth, and David seventh.

16 Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah's three sons: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.

17 Amasa's mother was Abigail, and his father was Jether the Ishmaelite.

18 Caleb son of Hezron had children by [his] wife Azubah and by Jerioth. These were Azubah's sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.

19 When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, and she bore him Hur.

20 Hur fathered Uri, and Uri fathered Bezalel.

21 After this, Hezron slept with the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead. Hezron had married her when he was 60 years old, and she bore him Segub.

22 Segub fathered Jair, who possessed 23 towns in the land of Gilead.

23 But Geshur and Aram captured Jair's Villages along with Kenath and its villages-60 towns. All these were the sons of Machir father of Gilead.

24 After Hezron's death in Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.

25 The sons of Jerahmeel, Hezron's firstborn: Ram, his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.

26 Jerahmeel had another wife named Atarah, who was the mother of Onam.

27 The sons of Ram, Jerahmeel's firstborn: Maaz, Jamin, and Eker.

28 Onam's sons: Shammai and Jada. Shammai's sons: Nadab and Abishur.

29 Abishur's wife was named Abihail, who bore him Ahban and Molid.

30 Nadab's sons: Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children.

31 Appaim's son: Ishi. Ishi's son: Sheshan. Sheshan's descendant: Ahlai.

32 The sons of Jada brother of Shammai: Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children.

33 Jonathan's sons: Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel.

34 Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, but he did have an Egyptian servant whose name was Jarha.

35 Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore him Attai.

36 Attai fathered Nathan, and Nathan fathered Zabad.

37 Zabad fathered Ephlal, and Ephlal fathered Obed.

38 Obed fathered Jehu, and Jehu fathered Azariah.

39 Azariah fathered Helez, and Helez fathered Eleasah.

40 Eleasah fathered Sismai, and Sismai fathered Shallum.

41 Shallum fathered Jekamiah, and Jekamiah fathered Elishama.

42 The sons of Caleb brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha, his firstborn, fathered Ziph, and Mareshah, his second son, fathered Hebron.

43 Hebron's sons: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema.

44 Shema fathered Raham, who fathered Jorkeam, and Rekem fathered Shammai.

45 Shammai's son was Maon, and Maon fathered Beth-zur.

46 Caleb's concubine Ephah was the mother of Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran fathered Gazez.

47 Jahdai's sons: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.

48 Caleb's concubine Maacah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah.

49 She was also the mother of Shaaph, Madmannah's father, and of Sheva, the father of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb's daughter was Achsah.

50 These were Caleb's descendants. The sons of Hur, Ephrathah's firstborn: Shobal fathered Kiriath-jearim;

51 Salma fathered Bethlehem, and Hareph fathered Beth-gader.

52 These were the descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim: Haroeh, half of the Manahathites,

53 and the families of Kiriath-jearim-the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. The Zorathites and Eshtaolites descended from these.

54 Salma's sons: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites,

55 and the families of scribes who lived in Jabez-the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of Rechab's family.

Habakkuk 3

1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. According to Shigionoth.

2 Lord, I have heard the report about You; Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds. Revive [Your work] in these years; make [it] known in these years. In [Your] wrath remember mercy!

3 God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise.

4 [His] brilliance is like light; rays are flashing from His hand. This is where His power is hidden.

5 Plague goes before Him, and pestilence follows in His steps.

6 He stands and shakes the earth; He looks and startles the nations. The age-old mountains break apart; the ancient hills sink down. His pathways are ancient.

7 I see the tents of Cushan in distress; the tent curtains of the land of Midian tremble.

8 Are You angry at the rivers, Lord? Is Your wrath against the rivers? Or is Your rage against the sea when You ride on Your horses, Your victorious chariot?

9 You took the sheath from Your bow; the arrows are ready to be used with an oath. Selah You split the earth with rivers.

10 The mountains see You and shudder; a downpour of water sweeps by. The deep roars with its voice and lifts its waves high.

11 Sun and moon stand still in [their] lofty residence, at the flash of Your flying arrows, at the brightness of Your shining spear.

12 You march across the earth with indignation; You trample down the nations in wrath.

13 You come out to save Your people, to save Your anointed. You crush the leader of the house of the wicked and strip [him] from foot to neck. Selah

14 You pierce his head with his own spears; his warriors storm out to scatter us, gloating as if ready to secretly devour the weak.

15 You tread the sea with Your horses, stirring up the great waters.

16 I heard, and I trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Rottenness entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress to come against the people invading us.

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

19 Yahweh my Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!