The Holy Bible, New International Version®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Legacy Bible

Copyright © 2007 by The Zondervan Corporation

Published by Zondervan Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, U.S.A.

www.zondervan.com

General Editor: Kenton Beshore

Produced with the assistance of The Livingstone Corporation (www.LivingstoneCorp.com). Project staff includes Dave Veerman, Dana Veerman, Neil Wilson and Mary Horner Collins. Bible book introductions writ-ten by Mark Fackler and Neil Wilson. Heritage Portraits written by Neil Wilson. Legacy Moments created by Kenton Beshore and Dave Veerman.

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Ta b l e of C o n t e n t s

Genesis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Exodus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Leviticus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Deuteronomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Joshua. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Judges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

Ruth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252

1.Samuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258

2.Samuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291

1.Kings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

2.Kings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350

1.Chronicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380

2.Chronicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413

Ezra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445

Nehemiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456

Esther. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472

Job. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481

Psalms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513

Proverbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 605

Ecclesiastes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637

Song.of.Songs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..648

Isaiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655

Jeremiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724

Lamentations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 788

Ezekiel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 796

Daniel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 844

Hosea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861

Joel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 872

Amos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 878

Obadiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 887

Jonah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 889

Micah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894

Nahum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 902

Habakkuk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906

Zephaniah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 910

Haggai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 915

Zechariah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 917

Malachi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 927

Matthew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 933

Mark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 972

Luke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 994

John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1032

Acts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1059

Romans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1095

1.Corinthians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1111

2.Corinthians. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1127

Galatians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1137

Ephesians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143

Philippians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1149

Colossians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1154

1.Thessalonians. . . . . . . . . . . 1159

2.Thessalonians. . . . . . . . . . . 1163

1.Timothy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1166

2.Timothy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1171

Titus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1176

Philemon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1179

Hebrews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1181

James. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1194

1.Peter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1199

2.Peter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1205

1.John. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1209

2.John. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1215

3.John. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1216

Jude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1218

Revelation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1220

New Testament

Old Testament

Table of Weights and Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1239Closing Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1241

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viiiFeatures Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ixPreface to the New International Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiiiWelcome.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xixOpening Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxMy Faith Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxiFavorite Passages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . xxiiPersonal Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxiii

A l p h a b e t i c a l Or d e r of t h e B o ok s of t h e B i b l e

The.books.of.the.New.Testament.are.indicated.by.italics .

Acts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1059

Amos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 878

1.Chronicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380

2.Chronicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413

Colossians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1154

1 Corinthians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1111

2 Corinthians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1127

Daniel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 844

Deuteronomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Ecclesiastes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637

Ephesians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143

Esther. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472

Exodus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Ezekiel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 796

Ezra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445

Galatians .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1137

Genesis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Habakkuk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906

Haggai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 915

Hebrews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1181

Hosea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861

Isaiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655

James. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1194

Jeremiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 724

Job. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481

Joel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 872

John. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1032

1 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1209

2 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1215

3 John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1216

Jonah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 889

Joshua. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Jude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1218

Judges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

1.Kings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

2.Kings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350

Lamentations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 788

Leviticus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Luke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 994

Malachi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 927

Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .972

Matthew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .933

Micah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894

Nahum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 902

Nehemiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456

Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Obadiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 887

1 Peter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1199

2 Peter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1205

Philemon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1179

Philippians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1149

Proverbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 605

Psalms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513

Revelation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1220

Romans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1095

Ruth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252

1.Samuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258

2.Samuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291

Song.of.Songs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 648

1 Thessalonians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1159

2 Thessalonians. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1163

1 Timothy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1166

2 Timothy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1171

Titus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1176

Zechariah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 917

Zephaniah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 910

F e at u r e s C o n t e n t s

God.the.Father.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Adam.and.Eve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Noah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Isaac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Jacob. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Joseph.of.Egypt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Moses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Caleb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Joshua. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Rahab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Deborah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

Samson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Ruth.and.Boaz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256

Hannah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

Jonathan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272

David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316

Solomon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

Hezekiah.and.Josiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377

Nehemiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462

Esther. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478

The.Wife.of.Noble.Character. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634

Jeremiah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 749

Daniel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 856

Jonah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 892

Joseph.of.Nazareth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 937

Zechariah.the.Priest .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 996

Paul. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1070

Barnabas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1078

Aquila.and.Priscilla. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1083

Timothy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1174

Abraham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1190

Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1201

John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1210

Heritage Portraits

A Look BackUnique.gifts.and.talents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Influential.mentor.or.pastor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Favorite.family.memory.from.childhood. . . . . . 153

National.or.world.event.and.impact.on.life . . . . 184

First.job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360

Brush.with.fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397

Situation.that.caused.doubt.in.faith . . . . . . . . . . 488

Time.of.suffering.or.illness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501

Favorite.song.of.all.time.and.why . . . . . . . . . . . . 532

Meaningful.worship.experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 573

Meaningful.experience.helping.others . . . . . . . . 585

First.date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651

Favorite.Scripture.passage.and.why. . . . . . . . . . . 678

How.chose.occupation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 773

Story.of.rebellion.and.consequences. . . . . . . . . . 813

Hobbies/pastimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 924

Special.Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 963

Best.friend.growing.up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1052

Memorable.wedding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1116

Lessons.from.twenties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1229

Legacy MomentsThe.Fingerprints.of.God  g Genesis 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

In.His.Image  g Genesis 1:26 – 27; 2:1 – 25. . . . . . . . . . . . .5

The.Journey.of.Faith  g Genesis 12 – 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

God’s.Surprising.Ways  g Genesis 37 – 50. . . . . . . . . . . 42

Timing.Is.Everything  g Exodus 1 – 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

From.Guilt.to.Forgiveness  g Leviticus 16 . . . . . . . . . 111

The.Roundabout.Route  g Numbers 10 . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Wholly.Devoted  g Deuteronomy 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Monumental.Remembrance  g Joshua 3. . . . . . . . . . 203

Too.Old.to.Retire  g Joshua 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Driving.Passions  g Joshua 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Name-Changer  g Judges 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234

Safety.in.Numbers  g Ruth 1 – 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253

Hopes.and.Dreams  g 1 Samuel 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259

Looks.Aren’t.Everything  g 1 Samuel 16 . . . . . . . . . . . 275

Friends.Forever  g 1 Samuel 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

The.Plank.and.the.Speck  g 2 Samuel 11 – 12 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 301

The.One.Request  g 1 Kings 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323

Ups.and.Downs  g 1 Kings 18 – 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

Trusting.in.Faith  g 2 Kings 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

Pursuing.God  g 1 Chronicles 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410

The.Way.Through  g 2 Chronicles 20. . . . . . . . . . . . 428

Turning.Back  g Ezra 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448

Nehemiah’s.Prayer  g Nehemiah 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457

Profile.in.Courage  g Esther 2 – 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474

When.All.Is.Gone  g Job 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482

Walk.This.Way  g Psalm 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514

God’s.Places  g Psalm 19:1 – 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523

The.Shepherd  g Psalm 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527

Failures.and.Forgiveness  g Psalm 51 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 544

My.Feelings  g Psalm 56:8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 547

God.Alone  g Psalm 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 551

Life.and.Death  g Psalm 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 569

Thank.Goodness  g Psalm 103. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 576

Family.Ties  g Psalm 127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 594

Way.to.Go  g Proverbs 3:5 – 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608

Telling.the.Truth  g Proverbs 15:1 – 4,23. . . . . . . . . . . 619

What.a.Woman!  g Proverbs 31:10 – 31. . . . . . . . . . . . 635

Control.Center  g Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . 640

True.Identity  g Isaiah 7:14; 9:6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662

Comfort.for.God’s.People  g Isaiah 40. . . . . . . . . . . . 693

New.Things  g Isaiah 43:18 – 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698

Above.and.Beyond  g Isaiah 55:8 – 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711

A.God.of.Justice  g Isaiah 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715

Bragging.Rights  g Jeremiah 9:23 – 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . 737

Hope.for.the.Future  g Jeremiah 29:10 – 14. . . . . . . . . 757

Great.Faithfulness  g Lamentations 3:21 – 26. . . . . . . 793

Lessons.in.Endurance  g Ezekiel 2:3 – 5. . . . . . . . . . . . 798

Follow.the.Leader  g Ezekiel 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 829

Uncompromising.Life  g Daniel 1 and 6. . . . . . . . . . 851

Bought.Back  g Hosea 1 – 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 862

Sin.Hurts  g Joel, Amos and Obadiah . . . . . . . . . . . . 873

Runaway  g Jonah 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 890

Great.Expectations  g Micah 6:8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 899

Holy.Affirmations  g Zephaniah 3:17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 913

Building.to.Last  g Zechariah 4:6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920

Getting.and.Giving  g Malachi 1:6 – 14; 3:6 – 12. . . . . 929

A.Human.Without.Sin  g Matthew 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . 934

Wilderness.Experience  g Matthew 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . 938

Pathway.to.Happiness  g Matthew 5:1 – 12. . . . . . . . . 939

Good.Gifts  g Matthew 7:7 – 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943

The.Golden.Rule  g Matthew 7:12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 944

The.Rest.of.the.Story  g Matthew 11:28 – 30 . . . . . . . 949

Getting.Out.of.the.Boat  g Matthew 14:22 – 36. . . . . 953

Investment.Counselor  g Mark 10:17 – 31. . . . . . . . . . 984

The.Will.and.the.Way  g Mark 14:32 – 42. . . . . . . . . . 990

Family.Matters  g Luke 2:21 – 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 998

Storm-Proof  g Luke 6:46 – 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1005

Why.Worry?  g Luke 12:22 – 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1015

Watching.and.Waiting  g Luke 15:11 – 32. . . . . . . . . . 1019

Remembering  g Luke 22:14 – 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1027

Faith.Story  g John 3:1 – 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1035

No.Place.Like.Home  g John 14:1 – 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1050

The.Life.of.the.Body  g Acts 2:42 – 47; 4:32 – 35 . . . 1062

Facing.Facts  g Acts 10:9 – 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1073

Mission.Control  g Acts 20:13 – 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1086

Transforming.Truths  g Romans 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1102

Changed.Lives  g Romans 12:1 – 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1106

Building.Materials  g 1 Corinthians 3:9 – 23. . . . . . 1113

The.Way.Out  g 1 Corinthians 10:13. . . . . . . . . . . . 1119

The.Greatest  g 1 Corinthians 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1123

Pain.and.Comfort  g 2 Corinthians 1:3 – 7 . . . . . . . 1128

What’s.New?  g 2 Corinthians 5:11 – 21. . . . . . . . . . 1131

Fruit.of.the.Spirit  g Galatians 5:22 – 23. . . . . . . . . . 1141

From.Beginning.to.End  g Ephesians 2:8 – 10. . . . . . 1145

Battle.Ready  g Ephesians 6:10 – 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1148

The.Road.to.Greatness  g Philippians 2:1 – 11. . . . . . 1151

Warning  g Colossians 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1156

Work.It.Out  g Colossians 3:23 – 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1157

Get.Ready  g 1 Thessalonians 4:13 — 5:28 . . . . . . . . 1161

True.Riches  g 1 Timothy 6:6 – 10,17 – 19. . . . . . . . . . 1169

Lessons.From.Life  g 2 Timothy 2:1 – 15. . . . . . . . . . 1173

Pass.It.On  g Titus 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1177

Free.at.Last  g Philemon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1180

God’s.911  g Hebrews 4:14 – 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1184

Real.Heroes  g Hebrews 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1191

Telltale.Tongues  g James 3:1 – 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1196

Joy.in.Serving  g 1 Peter 4:7 – 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1203

Effectiveness  g 2 Peter 1:3 – 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1206

It’s.About.Love  g 1 John 4:7 – 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1213

Life’s.Great.Joy  g 3 John. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1216

Solidly.Blah  g Revelation 3:14 – 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1223

OldTestament

The Beginning

1 InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheav­ensandtheearth.2 Nowtheearthwasaform­lessandem­p­ty,dark­nesswasov­erthesurfaceofthedeep­,andtheSp­iritofGodwashov­eringov­erthewaters.

3AndGodsaid,“Lettherebelight,”andtherewaslight.4 Godsawthatthelightwasgood,andhesep­aratedthe light from­ the darkness. 5 God called the light“day,”andthedarknesshecalled“night.”Andtherewasev­ening,andtherewasm­orning—thefirstday.

6AndGodsaid,“Lettherebeanex­p­ansebetweenthewa­terstosep­aratewaterfrom­water.”7 SoGodm­adetheex­p­anseandsep­aratedthewaterundertheex­p­ansefrom­thewaterabov­eit.Anditwasso.8 Godcalledtheex­p­anse“sky.”Andtherewasev­ening,andtherewasm­orning—thesecondday.

9AndGodsaid,“Letthewaterundertheskybegathered

toonep­lace,andletdrygroundap­p­ear.”Anditwasso.10 Godcalledthedryground“land,”andthegath­eredwatershecalled“seas.”AndGodsawthatitwasgood.

11 ThenGodsaid,“Letthelandp­roducev­egetation:seed­bearingp­lantsandtreesonthelandthatbearfruitwithseedinit,accordingtotheirv­ariouskinds.”Anditwasso.12 Thelandp­roducedv­egetation:p­lantsbearingseedaccordingtotheirkindsandtreesbear­ingfruitwithseedinitaccordingtotheirkinds.AndGodsawthatitwasgood.13 Andtherewasev­ening,andtherewasm­orning—thethirdday.

14AndGodsaid,“Lettherebelightsintheex­p­anseoftheskytosep­aratethedayfrom­thenight,andletthem­serv­eassignstom­arkseasonsanddaysandyears,15 andletthem­belightsintheex­p­anseoftheskyto

a2 Orp­ossiblybecame

G e n e s i s

Every great story has a starting point: “Long ago and far away . . .” or “Once upon a time . . .” In telling your own life story, the events surrounding your birth often get first mention. The Bible has a similar starting point: the book of Genesis.

In fact, the English word genesis comes from a Greek word that can mean “birth,” “genealogy” or “history of origin.” This book records many beginnings: the creation of the universe, the beginning of time, the creation of Earth and the first people. God starts his story to us with information about our beginning, but within that beginning are glimpses of the future.

The book of Genesis covers more human history than any other book of the Bible. Every significant theme in Scripture is rooted here: the incredible love relationship between God and people; the tragic break in that relationship as our first parents, Adam and Eve, fall into sin; God’s promise of a Savior who will redeem not only the broken relationship but also all of creation; and God’s choice to work out his plans for the world through specific people, families and nations.

Much of our understanding of what it means for one generation to affect the next can be traced back to the record in Genesis. In fact, this book could be subtitled An Introduction to Legacy. Our daily struggle with sin reminds us of Adam and Eve’s legacy of poor choices, and the promise of the rainbow reminds us of the legacy of Noah’s obedience and God’s faithfulness. The Genesis account illustrates that legacies, positive or negative, are unavoidable. Whether we like it or not, our lives will echo in the lives of those who follow us. Our choices will shape our legacy to future generations. We will always leave something behind for them. What will it be?

HeritagePortrait

G o d t h e F a t h e rAs the last act of creation, God formed human beings in his own

image, making evident his original plan for humankind to be of his likeness. And do you know what God did after he created us? He blessed

us, giving us further insight into his original plans for his children: to share that blessing with others.

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israel-ites. Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22 – 27)

In the early chapters of Genesis, God did the blessing (see Genesis 1:28). In fact, we read of no one other than God uttering words of bless-ing until after the flood, when Noah blessed his children (see Genesis 9:26 – 27). However, we get a fuller understand of the importance of such blessings through Abraham’s relationship with God. Each of the passages involving the eternal covenant between God and Abraham includes God’s promise of blessing, beginning with Genesis 12:2 – 3:

“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Clearly, God’s blessing is meant to have a profound effect. He does not intend for his blessings to stop at their first destination but to flow through generation after generation (see Exodus 20:5 – 6) of those who recognize what God has done and who seek to pass on that knowledge to their offspring.

Just as God passed his blessing on to his children, the desire to bless is a natural impulse in human parents as well. We want to deliver good, not evil, into our children’s lives. Jesus referred to that impulse when he talked about God’s willingness to give the blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit (see Luke 11:11 – 13). In his role as Father, God blessed his Son Jesus and said: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). When we leave a legacy of blessing, we are imitating God the Father.

for reflection: In what ways do you deliver good into the lives of those around you, particularly your grandchildren, children or other children close to you?

Praise the Lord. Blessed is

the man who fears the Lord, who

finds great delight in his commands.

His children will be mighty in the

land; the generation of the upright

will be blessed.

 — Psalm 112:1 – 2

For the next Heritage Portrait, go to page 6.

Legacy Moment

giv­elightontheearth.”Anditwasso.16 Godm­adetwogreatlights—thegreaterlighttogov­ernthedayandthelesserlighttogov­ernthenight.Healsom­adethestars.17 Godsetthem­intheex­p­anseoftheskytogiv­elightontheearth,18 togov­ernthedayandthenight,andtosep­aratelightfrom­darkness.AndGodsawthatitwasgood.19 Andtherewasev­ening,andtherewasm­orning—thefourthday.

20AndGodsaid,“Letthewaterteem­withliv­ingcreatures,andletbirdsflyabov­etheearthacrosstheex­p­anseofthesky.”21 SoGodcreatedthegreatcreaturesoftheseaandev­eryliv­ingandm­ov­ingthingwithwhich

thewaterteem­s,accordingtotheirkinds,andev­erywingedbirdaccordingtoitskind.AndGodsawthatitwasgood.22 Godblessedthem­andsaid,“Befruitfulandincreaseinnum­berandfillthewaterintheseas,andletthebirdsincreaseontheearth.”23 Andtherewasev­ening,andtherewasm­orning—thefifthday.

24AndGodsaid,“Letthelandp­roduceliv­ingcreaturesac­cordingtotheirkinds:liv­estock,creaturesthatm­ov­ealongtheground,andwildanim­als,eachaccordingtoitskind.”Anditwasso.25 Godm­adethewildani­m­alsaccordingtotheirkinds,theliv­estockaccordingtotheirkinds,andallthecreaturesthatm­ov­ealong

G e n e s i s 1

G e n e s i s 1 : 2 5 g �

For the next Legacy Moment, go to page 5.

T h e F i n g e r p r i n t s o f G o dGod is the Creator, the architect of all things. It is because of this that we see his fingerprints in every aspect of

his incredible creation.

The most evident attributes of God that I see in creation are. . .

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I see God’s fingerprints in my life in these ways. . .

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I see God’s fingerprints in your life in these ways. . .

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RelatedScrip­tures:Psalm­19:1–6;John1:1–3,14;Acts17:24–28;Colossians1:15–17

thegroundaccordingtotheirkinds.AndGodsawthatitwasgood.

26 ThenGodsaid,“Letusm­akem­aninourim­age,inourlikeness,andletthem­ruleov­erthefishoftheseaandthebirdsoftheair,ov­ertheliv­estock,ov­eralltheearth,aandov­erallthecreaturesthatm­ov­ealongtheground.”

27SoGodcreatedm­aninhisownim­age, intheim­ageofGodhecreatedhim­; m­aleandfem­alehecreatedthem­.

28 Godblessedthem­andsaidtothem­,“Befruitfuland increase innum­ber; fill theearthandsubdueit.Ruleov­erthefishoftheseaandthebirdsoftheairandov­erev­eryliv­ingcreaturethatm­ov­esontheground.”

29 ThenGodsaid,“Igiv­eyouev­eryseed­bearingp­lantonthefaceofthewholeearthandev­erytreethathasfruitwithseedinit.Theywillbeyoursforfood.30 Andtoallthebeastsoftheearthandallthebirdsoftheairandallthecreaturesthatm­ov­eontheground—ev­erythingthathasthebreathoflifeinit—Igiv­eev­erygreenp­lantforfood.”Anditwasso.

31 Godsawallthathehadm­ade,anditwasv­erygood.Andtherewasev­ening,andtherewasm­orn­ing—thesix­thday.

2 Thustheheav­ensandtheearthwerecom­p­letedinalltheirv­astarray.

2Bythesev­enthdayGodhadfinishedtheworkhehadbeendoing;soonthesev­enthdayherestedbfrom­allhiswork.3 AndGodblessedthesev­enthdayandm­ade itholy,becauseon ithe rested from­all theworkofcreatingthathehaddone.

Adam and Eve4 Thisistheaccountoftheheav­ensandtheearthwhen

theywerecreated.

WhentheLordGodm­adetheearthandtheheav­ens—5 andnoshrubofthefieldhadyetap­p­earedontheearthcandnop­lantofthefieldhadyetsp­rungup­,fortheLordGodhadnotsentrainontheearthcandtherewasnom­antoworktheground,6 butstream­sdcam­eup­from­theearthandwateredthewholesurfaceoftheground—7 theLordGodform­edthem­anefrom­thedustofthegroundand

breathedintohisnostrilsthebreathoflife,andthem­anbecam­ealiv­ingbeing.

8 NowtheLordGodhadp­lantedagardenintheeast,inEden;andtherehep­utthem­anhehadform­ed.9 AndtheLordGodm­adeallkindsof treesgrowoutof theground—treesthatwerep­leasingtotheeyeandgoodforfood.Inthem­iddleofthegardenwerethetreeoflifeandthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandev­il.

10 Ariv­erwateringthegardenflowedfrom­Eden;from­thereitwassep­aratedintofourheadwaters.11 Thenam­eofthefirstisthePishon;itwindsthroughtheentirelandofHav­ilah,wherethereisgold.12 (Thegoldofthatlandisgood;arom­aticresinfandonyx­arealsothere.)13 Thenam­eofthesecondriv­eristheGihon;itwindsthroughtheentirelandofCush.g14 Thenam­eofthethirdriv­eristheTigris;itrunsalongtheeastsideofAsshur.Andthefourthriv­eristheEup­hrates.

15 TheLordGodtookthem­anandp­uthim­intheGar­denofEdentoworkitandtakecareofit.16 AndtheLordGodcom­m­andedthem­an,“Youarefreetoeatfrom­anytreeinthegarden;17 butyoum­ustnoteatfrom­thetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandev­il,forwhenyoueatofityouwillsurelydie.”

18 TheLordGodsaid,“Itisnotgoodforthem­antobealone.Iwillm­akeahelp­ersuitableforhim­.”

19 NowtheLordGodhadform­edoutofthegroundallthebeastsofthefieldandallthebirdsoftheair.Hebrought them­ to the m­an to see what he would nam­ethem­;andwhatev­erthem­ancalledeachliv­ingcreature,thatwasitsnam­e.20 Sothem­angav­enam­estoalltheliv­e­stock,thebirdsoftheairandallthebeastsofthefield.

ButforAdam­hnosuitablehelp­erwasfound.21 SotheLordGodcausedthem­antofallintoadeep­sleep­;andwhilehewassleep­ing,hetookoneofthem­an’sribsiandclosedup­thep­lacewithflesh.22 ThentheLordGodm­adeawom­anfrom­theribjhehadtakenoutofthem­an,andhebroughthertothem­an.

23 Them­ansaid,

“Thisisnowboneofm­ybones andfleshofm­yflesh;

a26 Hebrew;Syriacall the wild animals b2 Orceased;alsoinv­erse3 c5 Orland;alsoinv­erse6 d6 Ormist e7 TheHebrewforman (adam)soundslikeandm­ayberelatedtotheHebrewforground (adamah);itisalsothenam­eAdam(seeGen.2:20). f12 Orgood;pearlsg13 PossiblysoutheastMesop­otam­ia h20 Orthe man i21 Ortook part of the man’s side j22 Orpart

� g G e n e s i s 1 : 2 6

Legacy Moment

sheshallbecalled‘wom­an,a ’ forshewastakenoutofm­an.”

24 Forthisreasonam­anwillleav­ehisfatherandm­otherandbeunitedtohiswife,andtheywillbecom­eoneflesh.

25 Them­anandhiswifewerebothnaked,andtheyfeltnosham­e.

The Fall of Man

3 Nowtheserp­entwasm­orecraftythananyofthewildanim­alstheLordGodhadm­ade.Hesaidtothewom­­

an,“DidGodreallysay,‘Youm­ustnoteatfrom­anytreeinthegarden’?”

2 Thewom­ansaidtotheserp­ent,“Wem­ayeatfruitfrom­

thetreesinthegarden,3 butGoddidsay,‘Youm­ustnoteatfruitfrom­thetreethatisinthem­iddleofthegarden,andyoum­ustnottouchit,oryouwilldie.’”

4 “Youwillnotsurelydie,”theserp­entsaidtothewom­­an.5 “ForGodknowsthatwhenyoueatof ityoureyeswillbeop­ened,andyouwillbelikeGod,knowinggoodandev­il.”

6 Whenthewom­ansawthat the fruitof the treewasgoodforfoodandp­leasingtotheeye,andalsodesirableforgainingwisdom­,shetooksom­eandate it.Shealsogav­esom­etoherhusband,whowaswithher,andheateit.7 Thentheeyesofbothofthem­wereop­ened,andthey

a23 TheHebrewforwomansoundsliketheHebrewforman.

G e n e s i s 1 : 2 6 – 2 7 ; 2 : 2 – 2 5

For the next Legacy Moment, go to page 15.

I n H i s I m a g eAfter creating the heavens and the earth, God created human beings in his own image. We are not chance

occurrences of an evolutionary process; we are unique creations of our all-knowing, all-powerful, loving heavenly

Father.

God created me and has defined my life in these areas:

Who I am. I was created in God’s image, and this means. . .

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How I should live. My successes and failures are. . .

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Concerning your identity (who you are) and self-concept (how you see yourself), my prayer is. . .

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RelatedScrip­tures:Psalm­8;139;Hebrews2:5–8;1John3:1–3

HeritagePortrait

A d a m a n d E v eCan you imagine what Adam and Eve must have thought as they

wandered around the Garden of Eden? Their existence involved pure mystery. Everything was completely new. They were embarking on a

momentous adventure of self-discovery and learning that would shape every life that followed theirs, leaving a legacy of eternal consequence.

After their creation, the original couple stood naked before God and received a shared, threefold blessing (see Genesis 1:28): be fruitful, subdue the earth and rule over all that God had made. These were mutual responsibilities and privi-leges. Together, Adam and Eve were to expand their community, establish their role in the world and exercise proper rule over the rest of creation.

Furthermore, God blessed Adam with several personal blessings: responsibility for the garden (see Genesis 2:15), the challenge of obedience (see Genesis 2:16 – 17) and the gift of “a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). In these ways God spoke and brought about good for Adam and Eve. But as novices in the human enterprise, they had no idea of the size or weight of God’s blessing.

Try to envision a life in which every experience and decision is a first. Adam and Eve were the first couple to ever experience a sunrise and a sunset, laughter, pleasure, curiosity and sex. And because they were shaping the destiny of humanity, even their seemingly insignificant actions carried huge implications — cosmic consequences, in fact. When they disobeyed God, it changed everything. Long before bringing their first child into the world, they gave birth to a plague of sin that has infected every generation of their offspring. All of us fell into sin with them.

This is not an uplifting reality to face, but it is one from which we thankfully can learn much. Like Adam and Eve, our decisions do not affect just ourselves — they have implications beyond what we can see with our own eyes. With this in mind, now is perhaps the time to examine our own duty before God and our duty to those he has brought into our lives. We can do this by deliberately evaluating how we live our lives and what our behavior models for others.

for reflection: To what degree have you taken personal and detailed responsibility for the legacy you will leave? Are there any changes you need to make in how you live your life?

DetailsofAdam­andEv­e’slegacycanbefoundinGenesis1:26—5:32;

Luke3:38;Rom­ans5:12–21and1Corinthians15:21–22,45–49.

God blessed them and said to

them, “Be fruitful and increase

in number; fill the earth and subdue

it. Rule over the fish of the sea

and the birds of the air and over

every living creature that moves

on the ground.”

 — Genesis 1 :28

For the next Heritage Portrait, go to page 10.

realizedtheywerenaked;sotheysewedfigleav­estogetherandm­adecov­eringsforthem­selv­es.

8 Then them­anandhiswifeheard the soundof theLordGodashewaswalking in thegarden in thecooloftheday,andtheyhidfrom­theLordGodam­ongthetreesofthegarden.9 ButtheLordGodcalledtothem­an,“Whereareyou?”

10 Heanswered,“Iheardyouinthegarden,andIwasafraidbecauseIwasnaked;soIhid.”

11 And he said,“Who told you that you were naked?Hav­eyoueatenfrom­thetreethatIcom­m­andedyounottoeatfrom­?”

12 Them­ansaid,“Thewom­anyoup­utherewithm­e—shegav­em­esom­efruitfrom­thetree,andIateit.”

13 ThentheLordGodsaidtothewom­an,“Whatisthisyouhav­edone?”

Thewom­ansaid,“Theserp­entdeceiv­edm­e,andIate.”14 SotheLordGodsaidtotheserp­ent,“Becauseyou

hav­edonethis,

“Cursedareyouabov­ealltheliv­estock andallthewildanim­als! Youwillcrawlonyourbelly andyouwilleatdust allthedaysofyourlife.15AndIwillp­utenm­ity betweenyouandthewom­an, andbetweenyouroffsp­ringaandhers; hewillcrushbyourhead, andyouwillstrikehisheel.”

16 Tothewom­anhesaid,

“Iwillgreatlyincreaseyourp­ainsinchildbearing; withp­ainyouwillgiv­ebirthtochildren. Yourdesirewillbeforyourhusband, andhewillruleov­eryou.”

17 ToAdam­hesaid,“Becauseyoulistenedtoyourwifeandatefrom­thetreeaboutwhichIcom­m­andedyou,‘Youm­ustnoteatofit,’

“Cursedisthegroundbecauseofyou; throughp­ainfultoilyouwilleatofit allthedaysofyourlife.18Itwillp­roducethornsandthistlesforyou, andyouwilleatthep­lantsofthefield.

19Bythesweatofyourbrow youwilleatyourfood untilyoureturntotheground, sincefrom­ityouweretaken; fordustyouare andtodustyouwillreturn.”

20 Adam­cnam­edhiswifeEv­e,dbecauseshewouldbe­com­ethem­otherofalltheliv­ing.

21 TheLordGodm­adegarm­entsofskinforAdam­andhiswifeandclothedthem­.22 AndtheLordGodsaid,“Them­anhasnowbecom­elikeoneofus,knowinggoodandev­il.Hem­ustnotbeallowedtoreachouthishandandtakealsofrom­thetreeoflifeandeat,andliv­eforev­er.”23 SotheLordGodbanishedhim­from­theGardenofEdentoworkthegroundfrom­whichhehadbeentaken.24 Afterhedrov­ethem­anout,hep­lacedontheeastsideeoftheGar­denofEdencherubim­andaflam­ingswordflashingbackandforthtoguardthewaytothetreeoflife.

Cain and Abel

4 Adam­claywithhiswifeEv­e,andshebecam­ep­reg­nantandgav­ebirthtoCain.fShesaid,“Withthehelp­

oftheLordIhav­ebroughtforthgam­an.”2 Latershegav­ebirthtohisbrotherAbel.

NowAbelkep­tflocks,andCainworkedthesoil.3 Inthecourseoftim­eCainbroughtsom­eofthefruitsofthesoilasanofferingtotheLord.4 ButAbelbroughtfatp­ortionsfrom­som­eofthefirstbornofhisflock.TheLordlookedwithfav­oronAbelandhisoffering,5 butonCainandhisofferinghedidnotlookwithfav­or.SoCainwasv­eryan­gry,andhisfacewasdowncast.

6 ThentheLordsaidtoCain,“Whyareyouangry?Whyisyourfacedowncast?7 Ifyoudowhatisright,willyounotbeaccep­ted?Butifyoudonotdowhatisright,siniscrouchingatyourdoor;itdesirestohav­eyou,butyoum­ustm­asterit.”

8 NowCainsaidtohisbrotherAbel,“Let’sgoouttothefield.”hAndwhiletheywereinthefield,CainattackedhisbrotherAbelandkilledhim­.

9 ThentheLordsaidtoCain,“WhereisyourbrotherAbel?”a15 Orseed b15 Orstrike c20,1 OrThe man d20 Evep­robablym­eansliving. e24 Orplaced in front f1 CainsoundsliketheHebrewforbrought forthoracquired. g1 Orhave acquired h8 Sam­aritanPentateuch,Sep­tuagint,VulgateandSyriac;MasoreticTex­tdoesnothav­e“Let’s go out to the field.”

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“Idon’tknow,”herep­lied.“Am­Im­ybrother’skeep­er?”10 TheLordsaid,“Whathav­eyoudone?Listen!Your

brother’sbloodcriesouttom­efrom­theground.11 Nowyouareunderacurseanddriv­enfrom­theground,whichop­eneditsm­outhtoreceiv­eyourbrother’sbloodfrom­yourhand.12 Whenyouworktheground,itwillnolongeryielditscrop­sforyou.Youwillbearestlesswandererontheearth.”

13 CainsaidtotheLord,“Myp­unishm­entism­orethanI canbear. 14 Todayyouaredriv­ingm­e from­ the land,andIwillbehiddenfrom­yourp­resence;Iwillbearest­lesswandererontheearth,andwhoev­er findsm­ewillkillm­e.”

15 ButtheLordsaidtohim­,“Notsoa; ifanyonekillsCain,hewillsufferv­engeancesev­entim­esov­er.”ThentheLordp­utam­arkonCainsothatnoonewhofoundhim­wouldkillhim­.16 SoCainwentoutfrom­theLord’sp­res­enceandliv­edinthelandofNod,beastofEden.

17 Cainlaywithhiswife,andshebecam­ep­regnantandgav­ebirthtoEnoch.Cainwasthenbuildingacity,andhenam­editafterhissonEnoch.18 ToEnochwasbornIrad,andIradwasthefatherofMehujael,andMehujaelwasthefatherofMethushael,andMethushaelwasthefatherofLam­ech.

19 Lam­echm­arriedtwowom­en,onenam­edAdahandtheotherZillah. 20 Adahgav­ebirthtoJabal;hewasthefatherofthosewholiv­eintentsandraiseliv­estock.21 Hisbrother’snam­ewasJubal;hewasthefatherofallwhop­laytheharp­andflute. 22 Zillahalsohadason,Tubal­Cain,whoforgedallkindsoftoolsoutofcbronzeandiron.Tu­bal­Cain’ssisterwasNaam­ah.

23 Lam­echsaidtohiswiv­es,

“AdahandZillah,listentom­e; wiv­esofLam­ech,hearm­ywords. Ihav­ekilleddam­anforwoundingm­e, ayoungm­anforinjuringm­e.24IfCainisav­engedsev­entim­es, thenLam­echsev­enty­sev­entim­es.”

25 Adam­laywithhiswifeagain,andshegav­ebirthtoasonandnam­edhim­Seth,esaying,“Godhasgrantedm­ean­otherchildinp­laceofAbel,sinceCainkilledhim­.”26 Sethalsohadason,andhenam­edhim­Enosh.

At that tim­em­enbegan to callonf thenam­eof theLord.

From Adam to Noah

5 ThisisthewrittenaccountofAdam­’sline.

WhenGodcreatedm­an,hem­adehim­inthelikenessofGod.2 Hecreatedthem­m­aleandfem­aleandblessedthem­.Andwhentheywerecreated,hecalledthem­“m­an.g ”

3 WhenAdam­hadliv­ed130years,hehadasoninhisownlikeness,inhisownim­age;andhenam­edhim­Seth.4 AfterSethwasborn,Adam­liv­ed800yearsandhadoth­ersonsanddaughters.5 Altogether,Adam­liv­ed930years,andthenhedied.

6 WhenSethhadliv­ed105years,hebecam­ethefatherhofEnosh.7 Andafterhebecam­ethefatherofEnosh,Sethliv­ed807yearsandhadothersonsanddaughters.8 Alto­gether,Sethliv­ed912years,andthenhedied.

9 WhenEnoshhadliv­ed90years,hebecam­ethefatherof Kenan. 10 And after he becam­e the father of Kenan,Enoshliv­ed815yearsandhadothersonsanddaughters.11 Altogether,Enoshliv­ed905years,andthenhedied.

12 WhenKenanhadliv­ed70years,hebecam­ethefa­ther of Mahalalel. 13 And after he becam­e the father ofMahalalel,Kenanliv­ed840yearsandhadothersonsanddaughters.14 Altogether,Kenanliv­ed910years,andthenhedied.

15 WhenMahalalelhadliv­ed65years,hebecam­ethefa­therofJared.16 Andafterhebecam­ethefatherofJared,Mahalalelliv­ed830yearsandhadothersonsanddaugh­ters.17 Altogether,Mahalalelliv­ed895years,andthenhedied.

18 WhenJaredhadliv­ed162years,hebecam­ethefatherofEnoch.19 Andafterhebecam­ethefatherofEnoch,Jaredliv­ed800yearsandhadothersonsanddaughters.20 Alto­gether,Jaredliv­ed962years,andthenhedied.

21 WhenEnochhadliv­ed65years,hebecam­ethefatherofMethuselah.22 Andafterhebecam­ethefatherofMethu­selah,EnochwalkedwithGod300yearsandhadothersonsanddaughters.23 Altogether,Enochliv­ed365years.24 EnochwalkedwithGod;thenhewasnom­ore,becauseGodtookhim­away.

25 WhenMethuselahhadliv­ed187years,hebecam­ethe

a15 Sep­tuagint,VulgateandSyriac;HebrewVery well b16 Nodm­eanswandering(seev­erses12and14). c22 Orwho instructed all who work in d23 OrI will kill e25 Sethp­robablym­eansgranted. f26 Orto proclaim g2 Hebrewadam h6 Fatherm­aym­eanancestor;alsoinv­erses7­26.

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fatherofLam­ech.26 Andafterhebecam­ethefatherofLa­m­ech,Methuselahliv­ed782yearsandhadothersonsanddaughters.27 Altogether,Methuselahliv­ed969years,andthenhedied.

28 WhenLam­echhadliv­ed182years,hehadason.29 Henam­edhim­Noahaandsaid,“Hewillcom­fortusinthela­borandp­ainfultoilofourhandscausedbythegroundtheLordhascursed.”30 AfterNoahwasborn,Lam­echliv­ed595yearsandhadothersonsanddaughters.31 Altogether,Lam­echliv­ed777years,andthenhedied.

32 AfterNoahwas500yearsold,hebecam­ethefatherofShem­,Ham­andJap­heth.

The Flood

6 Whenm­enbegantoincreaseinnum­berontheearthanddaughterswereborntothem­,2 thesonsofGod

sawthatthedaughtersofm­enwerebeautiful,andtheym­arriedanyof them­theychose. 3 ThentheLord said,“MySp­iritwillnotcontendwithbm­anforev­er,forheism­ortalc;hisdayswillbeahundredandtwentyyears.”

4 TheNep­hilim­wereontheearthinthosedays—andalsoafterward—whenthesonsofGodwenttothedaugh­tersofm­enandhadchildrenbythem­.Theywerethehe­roesofold,m­enofrenown.

5 TheLordsawhowgreatm­an’swickednessontheearthhadbecom­e,andthatev­eryinclinationofthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyev­ilallthetim­e.6 TheLordwasgriev­edthathehadm­adem­anontheearth,andhisheartwasfilledwithp­ain.7 SotheLordsaid,“Iwillwip­em­ankind,whom­Ihav­ecreated,from­thefaceoftheearth—m­enandanim­als,andcreaturesthatm­ov­ealongtheground,andbirdsoftheair—forIam­griev­edthatIhav­em­adethem­.”8 ButNoahfoundfav­orintheeyesoftheLord.

9 ThisistheaccountofNoah.

Noahwasarighteousm­an,blam­elessam­ongthep­eop­leofhistim­e,andhewalkedwithGod.10 Noahhadthreesons:Shem­,Ham­andJap­heth.

11 Nowtheearthwascorrup­tinGod’ssightandwasfullofv­iolence.12 Godsawhowcorrup­ttheearthhadbecom­e,forallthep­eop­leonearthhadcorrup­tedtheirways.13 SoGodsaidtoNoah,“Iam­goingtop­utanendtoallp­eo­p­le,fortheearthisfilledwithv­iolencebecauseofthem­.Iam­surelygoingtodestroyboththem­andtheearth.14 Som­akeyourselfanarkofcyp­ressdwood;m­akeroom­sinit

andcoatitwithp­itchinsideandout.15 Thisishowyouaretobuildit:Thearkistobe450feetlong,75feetwideand45feethigh.e16 Makearoofforitandfinishfthearktowithin18inchesgofthetop­.Putadoorinthesideofthearkandm­akelower,m­iddleandup­p­erdecks.17 Iam­goingtobringfloodwatersontheearthtodestroyalllifeundertheheav­ens,ev­erycreaturethathasthebreathoflifeinit.Ev­erythingonearthwillp­erish.18 ButIwillestablishm­ycov­enantwithyou,andyouwillentertheark—youandyoursonsandyourwifeandyoursons’wiv­eswithyou.19 Youaretobringintothearktwoofallliv­ingcreatures,m­aleandfem­ale,tokeep­them­aliv­ewithyou.20 Twoofev­erykindofbird,ofev­erykindofanim­alandofev­erykindofcreaturethatm­ov­esalongthegroundwillcom­etoyoutobekep­taliv­e.21 Youaretotakeev­erykindoffoodthatistobeeatenandstoreitawayasfoodforyouandforthem­.”

22 Noahdidev­erythingjustasGodcom­m­andedhim­.

7 TheLordthensaidtoNoah,“Gointotheark,youand your whole fam­ily, because I hav­e found you

righteousinthisgeneration.2 Takewithyousev­enhofev­­erykindofcleananim­al,am­aleanditsm­ate,andtwoofev­erykindofuncleananim­al,am­aleanditsm­ate,3 andalsosev­enofev­erykindofbird,m­aleandfem­ale,tokeep­theirv­ariouskindsaliv­ethroughouttheearth.4 Sev­endaysfrom­nowIwillsendrainontheearthforfortydaysandfortynights,andIwillwip­efrom­thefaceoftheearthev­­eryliv­ingcreatureIhav­em­ade.”

5 AndNoahdidallthattheLordcom­m­andedhim­.6 Noahwassix­hundredyearsoldwhenthefloodwaters

cam­eontheearth.7 AndNoahandhissonsandhiswifeandhissons’wiv­esenteredthearktoescap­ethewatersoftheflood.8 Pairsofcleananduncleananim­als,ofbirdsandofallcreaturesthatm­ov­ealongtheground,9 m­aleandfem­ale,cam­etoNoahandenteredtheark,asGodhadcom­m­andedNoah.10 Andafterthesev­endaysthefloodwa­terscam­eontheearth.

11 Inthesix­hundredthyearofNoah’slife,onthesev­­enteenthdayofthesecondm­onth—onthatdayallthesp­ringsofthegreatdeep­burstforth,andthefloodgates

a29 NoahsoundsliketheHebrewforcomfort. b3 OrMy spirit will not remain in c3 Orcorrupt d14 Them­eaningoftheHebrewforthiswordisuncertain. e15 Hebrew300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high(about140m­eterslong,23m­eterswideand13.5m­etershigh) f16 OrMake an opening for light by finishing g16 Hebrewa cubit(about0.5m­eter) h2 Orseven pairs;alsoinv­erse3

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