Isaiah 30; Isaiah 31; Philippians 4

Isaiah 30

1 The LORD declares, "How horrible it will be for those rebellious children. They carry out plans, but not mine. They make alliances against my will. They pile sin on top of sin.

2 They go to Egypt without asking me. They look for shelter under Pharaoh's protection and look for refuge in Egypt's shadow.

3 But Pharaoh's protection will be their shame, and the refuge in Egypt's shadow will be their disgrace.

4 Although Pharaoh's officials are in Zoan and his messengers have reached Hanes,

5 the people of Judah will be put to shame because that nation can't help them. That nation can't give aid or help to them. It can only offer shame and disgrace."

6 This is the divine revelation about the animals in the Negev. "My people travel through lands where they experience distress and hardship. Lions and lionesses live there. Vipers and poisonous snakes live there. They carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels to a nation that can't help them.

7 Egypt's help is completely useless. That is why I call it, 'Rahab who sits still.'

8 Now, write this on a tablet for them, and inscribe it in a book so that it will be there in the future as a permanent witness.

9 These people are rebellious and deceitful children, children who refuse to listen to the LORD's teachings.

10 They say to the seers, 'Don't see [the future].' They say to those who have visions, 'Don't have visions that tell us what is right. Tell us what we want to hear. See illusions.

11 Get out of our way! Stop blocking our path! Get the Holy One of Israel out of our sight.'"

12 This is what the Holy One of Israel says: You have rejected this warning, trusted oppression and deceit, and leaned on them.

13 That is why your sin will be like a high wall with a bulging crack, ready to fall. All of a sudden it will fall.

14 It will break like pottery. It will be smashed, and nothing will be left of it. No piece will be big enough to carry live coals from a fireplace or to dip water from a reservoir.

15 This is what the Almighty LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: You can be saved by returning to me. You can have rest. You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me. But you don't want that.

16 You've said, "No, we'll flee on horses." So you flee. You've added, "We'll ride on fast horses." So those who chase you will also be fast.

17 One thousand people will flee when one person threatens them, and you will flee when five threaten you. Then you will be left alone like a flagpole on top of a mountain, like a signpost on a hill.

18 The LORD is waiting to be kind to you. He rises to have compassion on you. The LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.

19 You will live in Zion, in Jerusalem. You won't cry anymore. The LORD will certainly have pity on you when you cry for help. As soon as he hears you, he will answer you.

20 The Lord may give you troubles and hardships. But your teacher will no longer be hidden from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.

21 You will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left."

22 Then you will dishonor your silver-plated idols and your gold-covered statues. You will throw them away like clothing ruined by stains. You will say to them, "Get out!"

23 The Lord will give you rain for the seed that you plant in the ground, and the food that the ground provides will be rich and nourishing. When that day comes, your cattle will graze in large pastures.

24 The oxen and the donkeys which work the soil will eat a mixture of food that has been winnowed with forks and shovels.

25 There will be brooks and streams on every lofty mountain and every high hill. When the day of the great slaughter comes, towers will fall.

26 Then the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun. The light of the sun will be seven times as strong, like the light of seven days. When that day comes, the LORD will bandage his people's injuries and heal the wounds he inflicted.

27 The name of the LORD is going to come from far away. His anger is burning. His burden is heavy. His lips are filled with fury. His tongue is like a devouring flame.

28 His breath is like an overflowing stream. It rises neck high, sifting the nations with a sieve of destruction, placing a bit in the mouths of the people to lead them astray.

29 You will sing a song like the song you sing on a festival night. Your hearts will be happy like someone going out with a flute on the way to the LORD's mountain, to the rock of Israel.

30 The LORD will make his majestic voice heard. He will come down with all his might, with furious anger, with fire storms, windstorms, rainstorms, and hailstones.

31 At the sound of the LORD, the people of Assyria will be shattered. He will strike them with his rod.

32 To the sound of tambourines and lyres, the LORD will pound on them. He will fight them in battle, swinging his fists.

33 Topheth was prepared long ago. It was made ready for the king. It was made deep and wide and piled high with plenty of burning logs. The LORD's breath will be like a flood of burning sulfur, setting it on fire.

Isaiah 31

1 How horrible it will be for those who go to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who depend on many chariots, who depend on very strong war horses. They don't look to the Holy One of Israel. They don't seek the LORD.

2 He is wise and can bring about disaster. He doesn't take back his words. He rises against wicked people and against those who help troublemakers.

3 The Egyptians are humans, not gods. Their horses are flesh and blood, not spirit. When the LORD uses his powerful hand, the one who gives help will stumble, and the one who receives help will fall. Both will die together.

4 This is what the LORD said to me: A lion, even a young lion, growls over its prey when a crowd of shepherds is called to fight it. It isn't frightened by their voices or disturbed by the noise they make. So the LORD of Armies will come to fight for Mount Zion and its hill.

5 The LORD of Armies will defend Jerusalem like a hovering bird. He will defend it and rescue it. He will pass over it and protect it.

6 You people of Israel, return to the one whom you have so violently rebelled against.

7 When that day comes, all of you will reject the silver and gold idols that your sinful hands have made.

8 Then Assyrians will be killed with swords not made by human hands. Swords not made by human hands will destroy them. They will flee from battle, and their young men will be made to do forced labor.

9 In terror they will run to their stronghold, and their officers will be frightened at [the sight of] the battle flag. The LORD declares this. His fire is in Zion and his furnace is in Jerusalem.

Philippians 4

1 So, brothers and sisters, I love you and miss you. You are my joy and my crown. Therefore, dear friends, keep your relationship with the Lord firm!

2 I encourage both Euodia and Syntyche to have the attitude the Lord wants them to have.

3 Yes, I also ask you, Syzugus, my true partner, to help these women. They fought beside me to spread the Good News along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

4 Always be joyful in the Lord! I'll say it again: Be joyful!

5 Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near.

6 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.

7 Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.

9 Practice what you've learned and received from me, what you heard and saw me do. Then the God who gives this peace will be with you.

10 The Lord has filled me with joy because you again showed interest in me. You were interested but did not have an opportunity to show it.

11 I'm not saying this because I'm in any need. I've learned to be content in whatever situation I'm in.

12 I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I've learned the secret of how to live when I'm full or when I'm hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little.

13 I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless, it was kind of you to share my troubles.

15 You Philippians also know that in the early days, when I left the province of Macedonia to spread the Good News, you were the only church to share your money with me. You gave me what I needed, and you received what I gave you.

16 Even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs twice.

17 It's not that I'm looking for a gift. The opposite is true. I'm looking for your resources to increase.

18 You have paid me in full, and I have more than enough. Now that Epaphroditus has brought me your gifts, you have filled my needs. Your gifts are a soothing aroma, a sacrifice that God accepts and with which he is pleased.

19 My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus.

20 Glory belongs to our God and Father forever! Amen.

21 Greet everyone who believes in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings to you.

22 All God's people here, especially those in the emperor's palace, greet you.

23 May the good will of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.