Day 227 of 365

2 Chr 25:1–28

1 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem.

2 He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.

3 Now it happened, when the kingdom was established to him, that he killed his servants who had killed the king his father.

4 But he did not put their children to death, but did according to that which is written in the law in the book of Moses, as the Lord commanded, saying, "The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin."

5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their fathers' houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go forth to war, who could handle spear and shield.

6 He hired also one hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver.

7 A man of God came to him, saying, "O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you; for the Lord is not with Israel, with all the children of Ephraim.

8 But if you will go, take action, be strong for the battle. God will overthrow you before the enemy; for God has power to help, and to overthrow."

9 Amaziah said to the man of God, "But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?" The man of God answered, "The Lord is able to give you much more than this."

10 Then Amaziah separated them, the army that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger.

11 Amaziah took courage, and led forth his people, and went to the Valley of Salt, and struck ten thousand of the children of Seir.

12 The children of Judah carry away ten thousand alive, and brought them to the top of the rock, and threw them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces.

13 But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell on the cities of Judah, from Samaria even to Beth Horon, and struck of them three thousand, and took much spoil.

14 Now it happened, after that Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them.

15 Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet, who said to him, "Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?"

16 It happened, as he talked with him, that the king said to him, "Have we made you one of the king's counselors? Stop! Why should you be struck down?" Then the prophet stopped, and said, "I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel."

17 Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted his advisers, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face."

18 Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son as his wife; then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle.

19 You say to yourself that you have struck Edom; and your heart lifts you up to boast. Now stay at home. Why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?'"

20 But Amaziah would not listen; for it was of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom.

21 So Joash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.

22 Judah was defeated by Israel; and they fled every man to his tent.

23 Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

24 He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in God's house with Obed-Edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

25 Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years.

26 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, aren't they written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?

27 Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following the Lord, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. He fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish, and killed him there.

28 They brought him on horses, and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.

2 Pet 1:12–21

12 Therefore I will be ready always to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.

13 I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you;

14 knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.

15 Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised tales, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.

21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

Ps 97:1–12

1 The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!

2 Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.

4 His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory.

7 Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of your judgments, Lord.

9 For you, Lord, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.

10 You who love the Lord, hate evil. He preserves the souls of his holy ones. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Be glad in the Lord, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name.