172. 20-June Daily Reading (Prophets and Writings).

2 Samuel 13, Daniel 7, Psalms 141, Proverbs 6.

2 Samuel 13.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Amnon and Tamar. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

It happened after this, that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
4 He said to him, “Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
5 Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed, and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.’”
6 So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”
7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”
8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. She took dough, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.
9 She took the pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. Amnon said, “Have all men leave me.” Every man went out from him.
10 Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother.
11 When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister!”
12 She answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don’t you do this folly.
13 I, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”
14 However he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”
16 She said to him, “Not so, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me!” But he would not listen to her.
17 Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, “Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.”
18 She had a garment of various colors on her; for with such robes were the king’s daughters who were virgins dressed. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
19 Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
20 Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
22 Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Absalom Murders Amnon. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

It happened after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
24 Absalom came to the king, and said, “See now, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
25 The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.
26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
27 But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!”
29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule, and fled.
30 It happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!”
31 Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let my master suppose that they have killed all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
33 Now therefore don’t let my master the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.”

34 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Absalom Flees to Geshur. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him.
35 Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.”
36 It happened, as soon as he had finished speaking, that behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly.
37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39 King David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.

Daniel 7.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Vision of the Four Beasts. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.
2 Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea.
3 Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I saw until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man; and a man’s heart was given to it.
5 Behold, another animal, a second, like a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh.
6 After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns.
8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

9 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Vision of the Ancient of Days. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
11 I saw at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I saw even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire.
12 As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

15 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Daniel's Visions Interpreted. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
17 These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.
19 Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was diverse from all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;
20 and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows.
21 I saw, and the same horn made war with the holy ones, and prevailed against them;
22 until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came that the holy ones possessed the kingdom.
23 Thus he said, The fourth animal shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings.
25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the Torah (teaching and instruction); and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
26 But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end.
27 The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my face was changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Psalms 141.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. A Psalm of David.. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

A Psalm by David. YHWH, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! Listen to my voice when I call to you.
2 Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, YHWH, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips.
4 Don’t incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Don’t let me eat of their delicacies.
5 Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
6 Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock. They will hear my words, for they are well spoken.
7 “As when one plows and breaks up the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.”
8 For my eyes are on you, YHWH, ADONAI. In you, I take refuge. Don’t leave my soul destitute.
9 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall together into their own nets, while I pass by.

Proverbs 6.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Dangerous Promises. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger;
2 You are trapped by the words of your mouth. You are ensnared with the words of your mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor.
4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

6 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. The Folly of Indolence. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;
7 which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
8 provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man.

12 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. The Wicked Man. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth;
13 who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers;
14 in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord.
15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy.
16 There are six things which YHWH hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood;
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief,
19 a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.

20 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Beware of Adultery. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the Torah is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24 to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife’s tongue.
25 Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.
26 For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life.
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.
30 Men don’t despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry:
31 but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house.
32 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won’t spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He won’t regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.

! ! End of the Daily Reading from the PROPHETS AND WRITINGS! Praise Yah! (HNV-yet version, in the public domain.)

HNV-yet is a public domain draft version of the World English Bible: Messianic Edition - (Names of Most High restored and Headings added by D C B). Please see World English Bible dot org http://worldenglishbible.org/ for more information.

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