Isaiah 46Isaiah 471 Timothy 3Isaiah 46
1
Bel is bent down, Nebo is falling their images are on the beasts and on the cattle: the things which you took about have become a weight to the tired beast.
2
They are bent down, they are falling together: they were not able to keep their images safe, but they themselves have been taken prisoner.
3
Give ear to me, O family of Jacob, and all the rest of the people of Israel, who have been supported by me from their birth, and have been my care from their earliest days:
4
Even when you are old I will be the same, and when you are grey-haired I will take care of you: I will still be responsible for what I made yes, I will take you and keep you safe.
5
Who in your eyes is my equal? or what comparison will you make with me?
6
As for those who take gold out of a bag, and put silver in the scales, they give payment to a gold-worker, to make it into a god they go down on their faces and give it worship.
7
They put him on their backs, and take him up, and put him in his fixed place, from which he may not be moved if a man gives a cry for help to him, he is unable to give an answer, or get him out of his trouble.
8
Keep this in mind and be shamed let it come back to your memory, you sinners.
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Let the things which are past come to your memory: for I am God, and there is no other I am God, and there is no one like me
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Making clear from the first what is to come, and from past times the things which have not so far come about saying, My purpose is fixed, and I will do all my pleasure
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Sending for a bird of strong flight from the east, the man of my purpose from a far country I have said it, and I will give effect to it the thing designed by me will certainly be done.
12
Give ear to me, you feeble-hearted, who have no faith in my righteousness:
13
My righteousness is near, it is not far off salvation will come quickly and I will make Zion free, and give Israel my glory.
Isaiah 47
1
Come and take your seat in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon come down from your seat of power, and take your place on the earth, O daughter of the Chaldaeans: for you will never again seem soft and delicate.
2
Take the crushing-stones and get the meal crushed: take off your veil, put away your robe, let your legs be uncovered, go through the rivers.
3
The shame of your unclothed condition will be seen by all: I will give punishment without mercy,
4
Says the Lord who takes up our cause the Lord of armies is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
5
Be seated in the dark without a word, O daughter of the Chaldaeans: for you will no longer be named, The Queen of Kingdoms.
6
I was angry with my people, I put shame on my heritage, and gave them into your hands: you had no mercy on them you put a cruel yoke on those who were old
7
And you said, I will be a queen for ever: you did not give attention to these things, and did not keep in mind what would come after.
8
So now take note of this, you who are given up to pleasure, living without fear of evil, saying in your heart, I am, and there is no one like me I will never be a widow, or have my children taken from me.
9
But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day, the loss of children and of husband: in full measure they will come on you, for all your secret arts, and all your wonders.
10
For you had faith in your evil-doing you said, No one sees me by your wisdom and knowledge you have been turned out of the way: and you have said in your heart, I am, and there is no other.
11
Because of this evil will come on you, which may not be turned away for any price: and trouble will overtake you, from which no money will give salvation: destruction will come on you suddenly, without your knowledge.
12
Go on now with your secret arts, and all your wonder-working, to which you have given yourself up from your earliest days it may be that they will be of profit to you, or by them you may put fear into your attackers.
13
But your mind is troubled by the number of your guides: let them now come forward for your salvation: the measurers of the heavens, the watchers of the stars, and those who are able to say from month to month what things are coming on you.
14
Truly, they have become like dry stems, they have been burned in the fire they are not able to keep themselves safe from the power of the flame: it is not a coal for warming them, or a fire by which a man may be seated.
15
Small profit have you had from those who, from your earliest days, got great profit out of you they have gone in flight, every one straight before him, and you have no saviour.
1 Timothy 3
1
This is a true saying, A man desiring the position of a Bishop has a desire for a good work.
2
The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his house freely to guests, a ready teacher
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Not quickly moved to wrath or blows, but gentle no fighter, no lover of money
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Ruling his house well, having his children under control with all serious behaviour
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(For if a man has not the art of ruling his house, how will he take care of the church of God?)
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Not one newly taken into the church, for fear that, through his high opinion of himself, he may come into the same sin as the Evil One.
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And he is to have a good name among those outside the church, so that nothing may be said against him and he may not be taken by the designs of the Evil One.
8
Deacons, in the same way, are to be serious in their behaviour, not false in word, not given to taking much wine or greatly desiring the wealth of this world
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Keeping the secret of the faith in a heart free from sin.
10
And let these first be put to the test then let them become Deacons if there is nothing against them.
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Women are to be serious in behaviour, saying no evil of others, controlling themselves, true in all things.
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Let Deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their houses well.
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For those who have done good work as Deacons get for themselves a good position and become free from fear in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14
I am writing these things to you, though I am hoping to come to you before long
15
But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.
16
And without argument, great is the secret of religion: He who was seen in the flesh, who was given God's approval in the spirit, was seen by the angels, of whom the good news was given among the nations, in whom the world had faith, who was taken up in glory.
