Read The One Year Bible TLB Online
Authors: Tyndale
The One Year Bible TLB (249 page)
When the godly are successful, everyone is glad. When the wicked succeed, everyone is sad.
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A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.
November 25Three years after King Jehoiakim began to rule in Judah, Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem with his armies, and the Lord gave him victory over Jehoiakim. When he returned to Babylon, he took along some of the sacred cups from the Temple of God and placed them in the treasury of his god in the land of Shinar.
3-4
Then he ordered Ashpenaz, who was in charge of his palace personnel,
*
to select some of the Jewish youths brought back as captives—young men of the royal family and nobility of Judah—and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. “Pick strong, healthy, good-looking lads,” he said; “those who have read widely in many fields, are well informed, alert and sensible, and have enough poise to look good around the palace.”
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The king assigned them the best of food and wine from his own kitchen during their three-year training period, planning to make them his counselors when they graduated.
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Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah.
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However, their superintendent gave them Babylonian names, as follows:
Daniel was called Belteshazzar;
Hananiah was called Shadrach;
Mishael was called Meshach;
Azariah was called Abednego.
8
But Daniel made up his mind not to eat
*
the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the superintendent for permission to eat other things instead.
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Now as it happened, God had given the superintendent a special appreciation for Daniel and sympathy for his predicament.
10
But he was alarmed by Daniel’s suggestion.
“I’m afraid you will become pale and thin compared with the other youths your age,” he said, “and then the king will behead me for neglecting my responsibilities.”
11
Daniel talked it over with the steward who was appointed by the superintendent to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
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and suggested a ten-day diet of only vegetables and water;
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then, at the end of this trial period the steward could see how they looked in comparison with the other fellows who ate the king’s rich food and decide whether or not to let them continue their diet.
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The steward finally agreed to the test.
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Well, at the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the youths who had been eating the food supplied by the king!
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So after that the steward fed them only vegetables and water, without the rich foods and wines!
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God gave these four youths great ability to learn, and they soon mastered all the literature and science of the time; and God gave to Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of dreams and visions.
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When the three-year training period was completed, the superintendent brought all the young men to the king for oral exams, as he had been ordered to do. King Nebuchadnezzar had long talks with each of them, and none of them impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were put on his regular staff of advisors.
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And in all matters requiring information and balanced judgment, the king found these young men’s advice ten times better than that of all the skilled magicians and wise astrologers in his realm.
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Daniel held this appointment as the king’s counselor until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.
2:
1-3
One night in the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had a terrifying nightmare and awoke trembling with fear. And to make matters worse, he couldn’t remember his dream! He immediately called in all his magicians, incantationists, sorcerers, and astrologers, and demanded that they tell him what his dream had been.
“I’ve had a terrible nightmare,” he said as they stood before him, “and I can’t remember what it was. Tell me, for I fear some tragedy awaits me.”
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Then the astrologers (speaking in Aramaic) said to the king, “Sir, tell us the dream and then we can tell you what it means.”
5
But the king replied, “I tell you the dream is gone—I can’t remember it. And if you won’t tell me what it was and what it means, I’ll have you torn limb from limb and your houses made into heaps of rubble!
6
But I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors if you tell me what the dream was and what it means. So, begin!”
7
They said again, “How can we tell you what the dream means unless you tell us what it was?”
8-9
The king retorted, “I can see your trick! You’re trying to stall for time until the calamity befalls me that the dream foretells. But if you don’t tell me the dream, you certainly can’t expect me to believe your interpretation!”
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The astrologers replied to the king, “There isn’t a man alive who can tell others what they have dreamed! And there isn’t a king in all the world who would ask such a thing!
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This is an impossible thing the king requires. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they are not here to help.”
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Upon hearing this, the king was furious and sent out orders to execute all the wise men of Babylon.
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And Daniel and his companions were rounded up with the others to be killed.
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But when Arioch, the chief executioner, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with great wisdom by asking,
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“Why is the king so angry? What is the matter?”
Then Arioch told him all that had happened.
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So Daniel went in to see the king. “Give me a little time,” he said, “and I will tell you the dream and what it means.”
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Then he went home and told Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions.
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They asked the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not die with the others.
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And that night in a vision God told Daniel what the king had dreamed.
Then Daniel praised the God of heaven,
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saying, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for he alone has all wisdom and all power.
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World events are under his control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones. He gives wise men their wisdom and scholars their intelligence.
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He reveals profound mysteries beyond man’s understanding. He knows all hidden things, for he is light, and darkness is no obstacle to him.
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I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers, for you have given me wisdom and glowing health, and now even this vision of the king’s dream and the understanding of what it means.”
And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.
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Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.
10
If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies.
11
Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it!
12
For the Lord is watching his children, listening to their prayers; but the Lord’s face is hard against those who do evil.
13
Usually no one will hurt you for wanting to do good.
14
But even if they should, you are to be envied, for God will reward you for it.
15
Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.
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Do what is right; then if men speak against you, calling you evil names, they will become ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good.
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Remember, if God wants you to suffer, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong!
18
Christ also suffered. He died once for the sins of all us guilty sinners although he himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that he might bring us safely home to God. But though his body died, his spirit lived on,
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and it was in the spirit that he visited the spirits in prison and preached to them—
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spirits of those who, long before in the days of Noah, had refused to listen to God, though he waited patiently for them while Noah was building the ark. Yet only eight persons were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
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(That, by the way, is what baptism pictures for us: In baptism we show that we have been saved from death and doom by the resurrection of Christ;
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not because our bodies are washed clean by the water but because in being baptized we are turning to God and asking him to cleanse our
hearts
from sin.)
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And now Christ is in heaven, sitting in the place of honor next to God the Father, with all the angels and powers of heaven bowing before him and obeying him.
4:
1
Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude he did; you must be ready to suffer, too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power,
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and you won’t be spending the rest of your life chasing after evil desires but will be anxious to do the will of God.
3
You have had enough in the past of the evil things the godless enjoy—sex sin, lust, getting drunk, wild parties, drinking bouts, and the worship of idols, and other terrible sins.
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4
Of course, your former friends will be very surprised when you don’t eagerly join them anymore in the wicked things they do, and they will laugh at you in contempt and scorn.
5
But just remember that they must face the Judge of all, living and dead; they will be punished for the way they have lived.
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That is why the Good News was preached even to those who were dead—killed by the flood
*
—so that although their bodies were punished with death, they could still live in their spirits as God lives.
Lord, I am overflowing with your blessings, just as you promised.
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Now teach me good judgment as well as knowledge. For your laws are my guide.
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I used to wander off until you punished me; now I closely follow all you say.
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You are good and do only good; make me follow your lead.
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Proud men have made up lies about me, but the truth is that I obey your laws with all my heart.
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Their minds are dull and stupid, but I have sense enough to follow you.
71-72
The punishment you gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold!
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You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws.
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All those who fear and trust in you will welcome me because I too am trusting in your Word.
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I know, O Lord, that your decisions are right and that your punishment was right and did me good. Now let your loving-kindness comfort me, just as you promised. Surround me with your tender mercies that I may live. For your law is my delight.
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Let the proud be disgraced, for they have cut me down with all their lies. But I will concentrate my thoughts upon your laws.
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Let all others join me who trust and fear you, and we will discuss your laws.
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Help me to love your every wish; then I will never have to be ashamed of myself.
Blessed is the man who reveres God, but the man who doesn’t care is headed for serious trouble.
November 26Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, who had been ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said, “Don’t kill them. Take me to the king, and I will tell him what he wants to know.”
25
Then Arioch hurried Daniel in to the king and said, “I’ve found one of the Jewish captives who will tell you your dream!”
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The king said to Daniel, “Is this true? Can you tell me what my dream was and what it means?”
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Daniel replied, “No wise man, astrologer, magician, or wizard can tell the king such things,
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but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has told you in your dream what will happen in the future. This was your dream:
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“You dreamed of coming events. He who reveals secrets was speaking to you.
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(But remember, it’s not because I am wiser than any living person that I know this secret of your dream, for God showed it to me for your benefit.)
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“O king, you saw a huge and powerful statue of a man, shining brilliantly, frightening and terrible.
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The head of the statue was made of purest gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs of brass,
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its legs of iron, its feet part iron and part clay.
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But as you watched, a Rock was cut from the mountainside
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by supernatural means. It came hurtling toward the statue and crushed the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits.
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Then the whole statue collapsed into a heap of iron, clay, brass, silver, and gold; its pieces were crushed as small as chaff, and the wind blew them all away. But the Rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.
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“That was the dream; now for its meaning:
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“Your Majesty, you are a king over many kings, for the God of heaven has given you your kingdom, power, strength, and glory.
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You rule the farthest provinces, and even animals and birds are under your control, as God decreed. You are that head of gold.
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“But after your kingdom has come to an end, another world power
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will arise to take your place. This empire will be inferior to yours. And after that kingdom has fallen, yet a third great power—represented by the bronze belly of the statue—will rise to rule the world.
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Following it, the fourth kingdom
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will be strong as iron—smashing, bruising, and conquering.
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The feet and toes you saw—part iron and part clay—show that later on, this kingdom will be divided. Some parts of it will be as strong as iron, and some as weak as clay.
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This mixture of iron with clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage of their rulers; but this will not succeed, for iron and clay don’t mix.
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“During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed; no one will ever conquer it. It will shatter all these kingdoms into nothingness, but it shall stand forever, indestructible.
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That is the meaning of the Rock cut from the mountain without human hands—the Rock that crushed to powder all the iron and brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold.
“Thus the great God has shown what will happen in the future, and this interpretation of your dream is as sure and certain as my description of it.”
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Then Nebuchadnezzar fell to the ground before Daniel and worshiped him and commanded his people to offer sacrifices and burn sweet incense before him.
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“Truly, O Daniel,” the king said, “your God is the God of gods, Ruler of kings, the Revealer of mysteries, because he has told you this secret.”
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Then the king made Daniel very great; he gave him many valuable gifts and appointed him to be ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men.
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Then, at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as Daniel’s assistants, to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon; Daniel served as chief magistrate in the king’s court.
3:
1
King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet high and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon;
2
then he sent messages to all the princes, governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs, and rulers of all the provinces of his empire, to come to the dedication of his statue.
3
When they had all arrived and were standing before the monument,
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a herald shouted out, “O people of all nations and languages, this is the king’s command:
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“When the band
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strikes up, you are to fall flat on the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue;
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anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a flaming furnace.”
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So when the band began to play, everyone—whatever his nation, language, or religion
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—fell to the ground and worshiped the statue.
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But some officials went to the king and accused some of the Jews of refusing to worship!
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“Your Majesty,” they said to him,
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“you made a law that everyone must fall down and worship the gold statue when the band begins to play,
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and that anyone who refuses will be thrown into a flaming furnace.
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But there are some Jews out there—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, whom you have put in charge of Babylonian affairs—who have defied you, refusing to serve your gods or to worship the gold statue you set up.”
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Then Nebuchadnezzar, in a terrible rage, ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought in before him.
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“Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,” he demanded, “that you are refusing to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I set up?
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I’ll give you one more chance. When the music plays, if you fall down and worship the statue, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown into a flaming furnace within the hour. And what god can deliver you out of my hands then?”
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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not worried about what will happen to us.
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If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us; and he will deliver us out of your hand, Your Majesty.
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But if he doesn’t, please understand, sir, that even then we will never under any circumstance serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have erected.”
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Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury and his face became dark with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He commanded that the furnace be heated up seven times hotter than usual,
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and called for some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and throw them into the fire.
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So they bound them tight with ropes and threw them into the furnace, fully clothed.
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And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw them in!
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So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell down bound into the roaring flames.
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But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisors, “Didn’t we throw three men into the furnace?”
“Yes,” they said, “we did indeed, Your Majesty.”
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“Well, look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see
four
men, unbound, walking around in the fire, and they aren’t even hurt by the flames! And the fourth looks like a god!”
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Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the open door of the flaming furnace and yelled: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God! Come out! Come here!” So they stepped out of the fire.
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Then the princes, governors, captains, and counselors crowded around them and saw that the fire hadn’t touched them—not a hair of their heads was singed; their coats were unscorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke!
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Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, for he sent his angel to deliver his trusting servants when they defied the king’s commandment and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own.
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Therefore, I make this decree, that any person of any nation, language, or religion
*
who speaks a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb and his house knocked into a heap of rubble. For no other God can do what this one does.”
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Then the king gave promotions to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, so that they prospered greatly there in the province of Babylon.
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore be earnest, thoughtful men of prayer.
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Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults.
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9
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay for the night.
10
God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.
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Are you called to preach? Then preach as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies so that God will be glorified through Jesus Christ—to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
12
Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you.
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Instead, be really glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed.
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Be happy if you are cursed and insulted for being a Christian, for when that happens the Spirit of God will come upon you with great glory.
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Don’t let me hear of your suffering for murdering or stealing or making trouble or being a busybody and prying into other people’s affairs.
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But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being in Christ’s family and being called by his wonderful name!
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For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God’s own children. And if even we who are Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed in the Lord?
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If the righteous are barely saved, what chance will the godless have?
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So if you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.
5:
1
And now, a word to you elders of the church. I, too, am an elder; with my own eyes I saw Christ dying on the cross; and I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns. Fellow elders, this is my plea to you:
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Feed the flock of God; care for it willingly, not grudgingly; not for what you will get out of it but because you are eager to serve the Lord.
3
Don’t be tyrants, but lead them by your good example,
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and when the Head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.
5
You younger men, follow the leadership of those who are older. And all of you serve each other with humble spirits, for God gives special blessings to those who are humble, but sets himself against those who are proud.
6
If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time he will lift you up.
7
Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
8
Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart.
9
Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.
10
After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever.
11
To him be all power over all things, forever and ever. Amen.
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I am sending this note to you through the courtesy of Silvanus who is, in my opinion, a very faithful brother. I hope I have encouraged you by this letter, for I have given you a true statement of the way God blesses. What I have told you here should help you to stand firmly in his love.
13
The church here in Rome
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—she is your sister in the Lord—sends you her greetings; so does my son Mark.
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Give each other the handshake of Christian love. Peace be to all of you who are in Christ.
Peter