2 Corinthians 13; 1 Chronicles 3; 1 Chronicles 4; Zephaniah 1

2 Corinthians 13

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. On the testimony of two or three witnesses every word will be confirmed.

2 I gave warning, and I give warning-as when I was present the second time, so now while I am absent-to those who sinned before and to all the rest: if I come again, I will not be lenient,

3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you.

4 In fact, He was crucified in weakness, but He lives by God's power. For we also are weak in Him, yet toward you we will live with Him by God's power.

5 Test yourselves [to see] if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you not recognize for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless you fail the test.

6 And I hope you will recognize that we are not failing the test.

7 Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong, not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we [may appear] to fail.

8 For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray for this: your maturity.

10 This is why I am writing these things while absent, that when I am there I will not use severity, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be restored, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

1 Chronicles 3

1 These were David's sons who were born to him in Hebron: Amnon was the firstborn, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; Daniel was [born] second, by Abigail of Carmel;

2 Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur, was third; Adonijah son of Haggith was fourth;

3 Shephatiah, by Abital, was fifth; and Ithream, by David's wife Eglah, was sixth.

4 Six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he ruled seven years and six months, and he ruled in Jerusalem 33 years.

5 These [sons] were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were [born to him] by Bath-shua daughter of Ammiel.

6 [David's other sons]: Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet,

7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet-nine sons.

9 [These] were all David's sons, with their sister Tamar, in addition to the sons by his concubines.

10 Solomon's son was Rehoboam; his son was Abijah, his son Asa, his son Jehoshaphat,

11 his son Jehoram, his son Ahaziah, his son Joash,

12 his son Amaziah, his son Azariah, his son Jotham,

13 his son Ahaz, his son Hezekiah, his son Manasseh,

14 his son Amon, and his son Josiah.

15 Josiah's sons: Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim second, Zedekiah third, and Shallum fourth.

16 Jehoiakim's sons: his sons Jeconiah and Zedekiah.

17 The sons of Jeconiah the captive: his sons Shealtiel,

18 Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.

19 Pedaiah's sons: Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel's sons: Meshullam and Hananiah, with their sister Shelomith;

20 and five others-Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed.

21 Hananiah's descendants: Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shecaniah.

22 The son of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. Shemaiah's sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat-six.

23 Neariah's sons: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam-three.

24 Elioenai's sons: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani-seven.

1 Chronicles 4

1 Judah's sons: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.

2 Reaiah son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites.

3 These were Etam's sons: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash, and their sister was named Hazzelelponi.

4 Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, Ephrathah's firstborn and the father of Bethlehem:

5 Ashhur fathered Tekoa and had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were Naarah's sons.

7 Helah's sons: Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan.

8 Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel son of Harum.

9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, "I gave birth to him in pain."

10 Jabez called out to the God of Israel: "If only You would bless me, extend my border, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so that I will not cause any pain." And God granted his request.

11 Chelub brother of Shuhah fathered Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.

12 Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These were the men of Recah.

13 Kenaz's sons: Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel's sons: Hathath and Meonothai.

14 Meonothai fathered Ophrah, and Seraiah fathered Joab, the ancestor of [those in] the Valley of Craftsmen, for they were craftsmen.

15 The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam. Elah's son: Kenaz.

16 Jehallelel's sons: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.

17 Ezrah's sons: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. Mered's wife Bithiah gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

18 These were the sons of Pharaoh's daughter Bithiah; Mered had married her. His Judean wife gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.

19 The sons of Hodiah's wife, the sister of Naham: the father of Keilah the Garmite and [the father of] Eshtemoa the Maacathite.

20 Shimon's sons: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. Ishi's sons: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth.

21 The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, the families of the guild of linen workers at Beth-ashbea,

22 Jokim, the men of Cozeba; and Joash and Saraph, who married Moabites and returned to Lehem. These [names] are from ancient records.

23 They were the potters and residents of Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the service of the king.

24 Simeon's sons: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul;

25 [Shaul's sons:] his son Shallum, his son Mibsam, and his son Mishma.

26 Mishma's sons: his son Hammuel, his son Zaccur, and his son Shimei.

27 Shimei had 16 sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, so their whole family did not become as numerous as the Judeans.

28 They lived in Beer-sheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual,

29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,

30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,

31 Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until David became king.

32 Their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan-five cities,

33 and all their surrounding villages as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record for themselves.

34 Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,

35 Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel,

36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,

37 and Ziza son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah-

38 these mentioned by name were leaders in their families. Their ancestral houses increased greatly.

39 They went to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley to seek pasture for their flocks.

40 They found rich, good pasture, and the land was broad, peaceful, and quiet, for some Hamites had lived there previously.

41 These who were recorded by name came in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah, attacked the Hamites' tents and the Meunim who were found there, and set them apart for destruction, as they are today. Then they settled in their place because there was pasture for their flocks.

42 Now 500 men from these sons of Simeon went with Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, as their leaders to Mount Seir.

43 They struck down the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped and still live there today.

Zephaniah 1

1 The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah.

2 I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration.

3 I will sweep away man and animal; I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins along with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth- the Lord's declaration.

4 I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all the residents of Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every vestige of Baal, the names of the pagan priests along with the priests;

5 those who bow in worship on the rooftops to the heavenly host; those who bow and pledge loyalty to the Lord but also pledge loyalty to Milcom;

6 and those who turn back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of Him.

7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord God , for the Day of the Lord is near. Indeed, the Lord has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.

8 On the day of the Lord's sacrifice I will punish the officials, the king's sons, and all who are dressed in foreign clothing.

9 On that day I will punish all who skip over the threshold, who fill their master's house with violence and deceit.

10 On that day- the Lord's declaration- there will be an outcry from the Fish Gate, a wailing from the Second District, and a loud crashing from the hills.

11 Wail, you residents of the Hollow, for all the merchants will be silenced; all those loaded with silver will be cut off.

12 And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men who settle down comfortably, who say to themselves: The Lord will not do good or evil.

13 Their wealth will become plunder and their houses a ruin. They will build houses but never live [in them], plant vineyards but never drink their wine.

14 The great Day of the Lord is near, near and rapidly approaching. Listen, the Day of the Lord- there the warrior's cry is bitter.

15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,

16 a day of trumpet [blast] and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers.

17 I will bring distress on mankind, and they will walk like the blind because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.

18 Their silver and their gold will not be able to rescue them on the day of the Lord's wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy. For He will make a complete, yes, a horrifying end of all the inhabitants of the earth.