October 9
2Chronicles 21 & James 1
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2Chronicles 21

Chapter 21

21:1Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jehoram became king in his place. 2He had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. 3Their father had given them many gifts of silver, gold, and valuable things, along with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn. 4When Jehoram had established himself over his father's kingdom, he strengthened his position by killing with the sword all his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel.
5Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king and reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab's daughter was his wife. He did what was evil in the Lord's sight, 7but because of the covenant the Lord had made with David, He was unwilling to destroy the house of David since the Lord had promised to give a lamp to David and to his sons forever.
8During Jehoram's reign, Edom rebelled against Judah's domination and appointed their own king. 9So Jehoram crossed into Edom with his commanders and all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders. 10And now Edom is still in rebellion against Judah's domination today. Libnah also rebelled at that time against his domination because he had abandoned Yahweh, the God of his ancestors. 11Jehoram also built high places in the hills of Judah, and he caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, and he led Judah astray.
12Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, saying:
This is what Yahweh, the God of your ancestor David says: "Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or in the ways of Asa king of Judah
13but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves like the house of Ahab prostituted itself, and also have killed your brothers, your father's family, who were better than you,
14Yahweh is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction.
15You yourself will be struck with many illnesses, including a disease of the intestines, until your intestines come out day after day because of the disease."
16The Lord put it into the mind of the Philistines and the Arabs who live near the Cushites to attack Jehoram. 17So they went to war against Judah and invaded it. They carried off all the possessions found in the king's palace and also his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son.
18After all these things, the Lord afflicted him in his intestines with an incurable disease. 19This continued day after day until two full years passed. Then his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died from severe illnesses. But his people did not hold a fire in his honor like the fire in honor of his fathers.
20Jehoram was 32 years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one's regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.

James 1

Chapter 1

1:1James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:
To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion.
Greetings.
2Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.
9The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, 10but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities.
12A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
13No one undergoing a trial should say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone. 14But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. 17Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. 18By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures.
19My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. 21Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.
22But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works-this person will be blessed in what he does.
26If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

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