Kingdom of God: The Reign of Heaven

The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

God said to him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and kings will come out of your body.

These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel.

Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah.

Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place.

Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.

Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the river, reigned in his place.

Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. The obedience of the peoples will be to him.

The LORD will reign forever and ever.”

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from amongst all peoples; for all the earth is mine;

and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.

I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A sceptre will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth.

Out of Jacob shall one have dominion, and shall destroy the remnant from the city.”

Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan; the land, according to its cities and borders, even the cities of the surrounding land.

He was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.

Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you. The LORD shall rule over you.”

All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together with all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.

The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’

“The trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’

“The trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’

“Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’

“The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

Those who strive with the LORD shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. “The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

They said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as the king over them.

Now therefore, listen to their voice. However, you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the way of the king who will reign over them.”

Samuel told all the LORD’s words to the people who asked him for a king.

The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and make them a king.” Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Everyone go to your own city.”

Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys were found.” But concerning the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel spoke, he didn’t tell him.

But you have today rejected your God, who himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, ‘No! Set a king over us!’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands.”

Then Samuel told the people the regulations of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the LORD. Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

Then Samuel said to the people, “Come! Let’s go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.”

“When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king.

Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen and whom you have asked for. Behold, the LORD has set a king over you.

Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.

Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the people to their own tents.

Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you; for now the LORD would have established your kingdom on Israel forever.

But now your kingdom will not continue. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you.”

Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbour of yours who is better than you.

For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you will not be established, nor will your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die!”

Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.

The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.”

Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.”

Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.

He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”

Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, “Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel around to you.”

Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you.

Now then do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’”

Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. The LORD said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince over Israel.’”

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel.

David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here,” thinking, “David can’t come in here.”

Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.

David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.

David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

When your days are fulfilled and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”

David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people.

Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder,

Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, Seraiah was scribe,

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’”

The king said, “Where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem; for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore me the kingdom of my father.’”

Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his, and I will stay with him.

The king said to Joab the captain of the army, who was with him, “Now go back and forth through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the sum of the people.”

Notwithstanding, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to count the people of Israel.

Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?

Go in to King David, and tell him, ‘Didn’t you, my lord the king, swear to your servant, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then does Adonijah reign?’

Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.

Bathsheba bowed and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”

She said to him, “My lord, you swore by the LORD your God to your servant, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’

Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, don’t know it.

He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army; but he hasn’t called Solomon your servant.

You, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be considered criminals.”

Nathan said, “My lord, King, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’?

For he has gone down today, and has slain cattle, fatlings, and sheep in abundance, and has called all the king’s sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. Behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

But he hasn’t called me, even me your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon.

Was this thing done by my lord the king, and you haven’t shown to your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

most certainly as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”

The king said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon.

Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel. Blow the trumpet, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’

Then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne; for he shall be king in my place. I have appointed him to be prince over Israel and over Judah.”

As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”

So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.

Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the Tent, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet; and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!”

Jonathan answered Adonijah, “Most certainly our lord King David has made Solomon king.

The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and they have caused him to ride on the king’s mule.

Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon. They have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that you have heard.

Also, Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom.

Moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne;’ and the king bowed himself on the bed.

The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

Solomon sat on David his father’s throne; and his kingdom was firmly established.

He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom is turned around, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the LORD.

He said, “Please speak to Solomon the king (for he will not tell you ‘no’), that he give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.”

Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. The king rose up to meet her and bowed himself to her, and sat down on his throne and caused a throne to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand.

King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also, for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.”

Then King Solomon swore by the LORD, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life.

Now therefore as the LORD lives, who has established me and set me on my father David’s throne, and who has made me a house as he promised, surely Adonijah shall be put to death today.”

But King Solomon will be blessed, and David’s throne will be established before the LORD forever.”

So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out, and fell on him, so that he died. The kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into David’s city until he had finished building his own house, the LORD’s house, and the wall around Jerusalem.

King Solomon was king over all Israel.

Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer who was in the land.

Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

For he had dominion over all on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River; and he had peace on all sides around him.

then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised to David your father, saying, ‘There shall not fail from you a man on the throne of Israel.’

all the storage cities that Solomon had, the cities for his chariots, the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of the children of Israel—

their children who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel were not able utterly to destroy—of them Solomon raised a levy of bondservants to this day.

But of the children of Israel Solomon made no bondservants; but they were the men of war, his servants, his princes, his captains, and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen.

These were the five hundred and fifty chief officers who were over Solomon’s work, who ruled over the people who laboured in the work.

But Pharaoh’s daughter came up out of David’s city to her house which Solomon had built for her. Then he built Millo.

King Solomon made a fleet of ships in Ezion Geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.

Hiram sent in the fleet his servants, sailors who had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.

However, I will not tear away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”

Ahijah took the new garment that was on him, and tore it in twelve pieces.

He said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces; for the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you

(but he shall have one tribe, for my servant David’s sake and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),

“‘However, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes,

but I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand and will give it to you, even ten tribes.

I will give one tribe to his son, that David my servant may have a lamp always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for myself to put my name there.

I will take you, and you shall reign according to all that your soul desires, and shall be king over Israel.

The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.

When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was yet in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon, and Jeroboam lived in Egypt;

and they sent and called him), Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came, and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

But as for the children of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed David’s house, except for the tribe of Judah only.

When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.

“Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying,

Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived in it; and he went out from there and built Penuel.

Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to David’s house.

If this people goes up to offer sacrifices in the LORD’s house at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me, and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.”

Moreover the LORD will raise up a king for himself over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam. This is the day! What? Even now.

The rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he fought and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

The days which Jeroboam reigned were twenty two years; then he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.

Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.

Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah.

He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.

Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.

The rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.

Abijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Asa his son reigned in his place.

In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah.

He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.

Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah; and he reigned over Israel two years.

Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha killed him and reigned in his place.

In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah for twenty-four years.

Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah; and Elah his son reigned in his place.

In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah for two years.

and Zimri went in and struck him and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his place.

When he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, he attacked all the house of Baasha. He didn’t leave him a single one who urinates on a wall amongst his relatives or his friends.

Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.

The people who were encamped heard that Zimri had conspired, and had also killed the king. Therefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.

Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.

Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made himself horns of iron, and said, “The LORD says, ‘With these you will push the Syrians, until they are consumed.’”

He said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. The LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.’”

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the LORD’s word. I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ One said one thing, and another said another.

Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he fought, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

There was no king in Edom. A deputy ruled.

So he died according to the LORD’s word which Elijah had spoken. Jehoram began to reign in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, because he had no son.

Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

Hazael said, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he could do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Syria.”

On the next day, he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it on the king’s face, so that he died. Then Hazael reigned in his place.

In the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being king of Judah then, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.

He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign. He reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did Ahab’s house, for he married Ahab’s daughter. He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight.

In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.

Then Joram crossed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him; and he rose up by night and struck the Edomites who surrounded him with the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.

So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.

In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.

Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri king of Israel.

Then take the vial of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, ‘The LORD says, “I have anointed you king over Israel.”’ Then open the door, flee, and don’t wait.”

He arose, and went into the house. Then he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.

They said, “That is a lie. Tell us now.” He said, “He said to me, ‘The LORD says, I have anointed you king over Israel.’”

Then they hurried, and each man took his cloak, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew the trumpet, saying, “Jehu is king.”

In the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab, Ahaziah began to reign over Judah.

Then he brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; and they made him king and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, “Long live the king!”

and she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, with the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!”

Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’s people; also between the king and the people.

He took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the LORD’s house, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. He sat on the throne of the kings.

In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign.

He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

In the thirty ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel for ten years in Samaria.

Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.

Menahem exacted the money from Israel, even from all the mighty men of wealth, from each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and didn’t stay there in the land.

Menahem slept with his fathers, and Pekahiah his son reigned in his place.

In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria for two years.

In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria for twenty years.

In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah began to reign.

He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok.

In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel for nine years.

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.

Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

He was buried in his tomb in the garden of Uzza, and Josiah his son reigned in his place.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.

In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the LORD’s house, saying,

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s father’s brother, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

For through the anger of the LORD, this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it around it.

So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.

But the Chaldean army pursued the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.

Then they captured the king and carried him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they passed judgement on him.

Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.

Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.

Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.

Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

Then Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,

chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,

chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,

chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.

six were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem;

For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and from him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s)—

and didn’t enquire of the LORD. Therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. The LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’”

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD. They anointed David king over Israel, according to the LORD’s word by Samuel.

David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.

Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the LORD’s word concerning Israel.

These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the LORD’s word.

David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted, for his people Israel’s sake.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say amongst the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

It will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your offspring after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

He will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.

but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne will be established forever.”’”

He shall build a house for my name; and he will be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

Of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the LORD’s kingdom over Israel.

He said to me, ‘Solomon, your son, shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues to do my commandments and my ordinances, as it is today.’

Yours, LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.

Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

All the princes, the mighty men, and also all of the sons of King David submitted themselves to Solomon the king.

The LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and gave to him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

Now David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour; and Solomon his son reigned in his place.

Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Samuel the seer, and in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the seer,

with all his reign and his might, and the events that involved him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the lands.

Solomon the son of David was firmly established in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and made him exceedingly great.

Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households.

So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel.

Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand and four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

The king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.

Now Solomon decided to build a house for the LORD’s name, and a house for his kingdom.

Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, “Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you king over them.”

Huram continued, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who would build a house for the LORD and a house for his kingdom.

Solomon counted all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, after the census with which David his father had counted them; and they found one hundred and fifty-three thousand and six hundred.

He set seventy thousand of them to bear burdens, eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to assign the people their work.

then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, according as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.’

Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and to Eloth, on the seashore in the land of Edom.

He ruled over all the kings from the River even to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.

The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as abundant as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland.

They brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt and out of all lands.

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren’t they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.

Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.

When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

They sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

But as for the children of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

“Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,

Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.

Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince amongst his brothers, for he intended to make him king.

In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against the LORD,

So King Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned; for Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.

Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, aren’t they written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, in the genealogies? There were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in David’s city; and Abijah his son reigned in his place.

In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah.

He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel:

Ought you not to know that the LORD, the God of Israel, gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?

Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.

“Now you intend to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David. You are a great multitude, and the golden calves which Jeroboam made you for gods are with you.

Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the LORD’s word: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ One spoke saying in this way, and another saying in that way.

In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.

All the assembly made a covenant with the king in God’s house. Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son must reign, as the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David.

He took the captains of hundreds, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the LORD’s house. They came through the upper gate to the king’s house, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom.

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, of Beersheba.

Now concerning his sons, the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of God’s house, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem.

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

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. He counted them from twenty years old and upward, and found that there were three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go out to war, who could handle spear and shield.

So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” Jotham his son reigned in his place.

Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.

and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth, wrote.

This is the copy of the letter that they sent: To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the River.

Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.

Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.

Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not appropriate for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore we have sent and informed the king,

that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.

We inform the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River.

Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace.

The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.

I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it.

There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them.

Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces),

in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Susa the palace,

in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces being before him.

He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred and eighty days.

When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Susa the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.

They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.

Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth?

He sees everything that is high. He is king over all the sons of pride.”

“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.

Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

Let the congregation of the peoples surround you. Rule over them on high.

But the LORD reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgement.

The LORD is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land.

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD. All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you.

For the kingdom is the LORD’s. He is the ruler over the nations.

Lift up your heads, you gates! Be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.

Lift up your heads, you gates; yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory will come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of Armies is the King of glory! Selah.

The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood. Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

God, you are my King. Command victories for Jacob!

Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of your kingdom.

Kings’ daughters are amongst your honourable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.

Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth.

For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.

He subdues nations under us, and peoples under our feet.

Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!

For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.

God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.

The princes of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted!

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King.

Consume them in wrath. Consume them, and they will be no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah.

God has spoken from his sanctuary: “I will triumph. I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.

Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is the defence of my head. Judah is my sceptre.

Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever.

There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you.

By Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.

He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.

The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.

His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.

Yet God is my King of old, working salvation throughout the earth.

Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations.

‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah.

For our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

I will also make his offspring endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

Your throne is established from long ago. You are from everlasting.

For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the mountains are also his.

The sea is his, and he made it. His hands formed the dry land.

Say amongst the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is also established. It can’t be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.

before the LORD; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.

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

The LORD reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned amongst the cherubim. Let the earth be moved.

The LORD is great in Zion. He is high above all the peoples.

The King’s strength also loves justice. You establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.

when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all.

Gilead is mine. Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is my helmet. Judah is my sceptre.

Moab is my wash pot. I will toss my sandal on Edom. I will shout over Philistia.”

A Psalm by David. The LORD says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”

The LORD will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule amongst your enemies.

The LORD is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the LORD, our God, who has his seat on high,

who stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth?

Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

The LORD has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: “I will set the fruit of your body on your throne.

If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forever more.”

A praise psalm by David. I will exalt you, my God, the King. I will praise your name forever and ever.

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk about your power,

to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and loving in all his deeds.

The LORD will reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.

He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.

For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will perform this.

For he says, “Aren’t all of my princes kings?

Isn’t Calno like Carchemish? Isn’t Hamath like Arpad? Isn’t Samaria like Damascus?”

The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them.

The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox.

They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious.

You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north!

A throne will be established in loving kindness. One will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging, seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.

It will happen in that day that the LORD will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth.

Then the moon will be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for the LORD of Armies will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem; and glory will be before his elders.

Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will see a distant land.

For the LORD is our judge. The LORD is our lawgiver. The LORD is our king. He will save us.

Behold, the Lord GOD will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.

I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”

This is what the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of Armies, says: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.

Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified you.”

Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.

For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. Dust will be the serpent’s food. They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.

The LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest?

“For I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes that I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come, and will see my glory.

At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The LORD’s Throne;’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to the LORD’s name, to Jerusalem. They will no longer walk after the stubbornness of their evil heart.

Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is very far off: “Isn’t the LORD in Zion? Isn’t her King in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their engraved images, and with foreign idols?”

But the LORD is the true God. He is the living God, and an everlasting King. At his wrath, the earth trembles. The nations aren’t able to withstand his indignation.

then there will enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on David’s throne, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city will remain forever.

“Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch; and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

and all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world, which are on the surface of the earth. The king of Sheshach will drink after them.

the LORD says concerning the king who sits on David’s throne, and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your brothers who haven’t gone with you into captivity,

but they will serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.

“In those days and at that time, I will cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David. He will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

For the LORD says: “David will never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel.

then my covenant could also be broken with David my servant, that he won’t have a son to reign on his throne; and with the Levitical priests, my ministers.

Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned as king instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign. He reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. On the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above.

As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, I will be king over you.

I will overturn, overturn, overturn it. This also will be no more, until he comes whose right it is; and I will give it.”’

I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. One king will be king to them all. They will no longer be two nations. They won’t be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.

“‘“My servant David will be king over them. They all will have one shepherd. They will also walk in my ordinances and observe my statutes, and do them.

As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze,

its legs of iron, its feet part of iron and part of clay.

You saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.

Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. The wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them. The stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

“This is the dream; and we will tell its interpretation before the king.

You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the glory.

Wherever the children of men dwell, he has given the animals of the field and the birds of the sky into your hand, and has made you rule over them all. You are the head of gold.

“After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you; and another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth.

The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, it will break in pieces and crush.

Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will be in it of the strength of the iron, because you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.

As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left to another people; but it will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it will stand forever.

How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion is from generation to generation.

“‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.’

it is you, O king, that have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

Whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be sure to you after you know that Heavens rules.

While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you.

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?”

At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counsellors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.

“To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.

Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whom he wanted to, and he kept alive whom he wanted to. He raised up whom he wanted to, and he put down whom he wanted to.

He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.

“This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE: God has counted your kingdom, and brought it to an end.

PERES: your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain.

Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty local governors, who should be throughout the whole kingdom;

and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, that these local governors might give account to them, and that the king should suffer no loss.

Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the local governors, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

“I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God, and steadfast forever. His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed. His dominion will be even to the end.

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.

Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be destroyed.

‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who will arise out of the earth.

But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’

until the ancient of days came, and judgement was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

“So he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different from all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down and break it in pieces.

As for the ten horns, ten kings will arise out of this kingdom. Another will arise after them; and he will be different from the former, and he will put down three kings.

“‘But the judgement will be set, and they will take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end.

The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him.’

When he stands up, his kingdom will be broken and will be divided towards the four winds of the sky, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom will be plucked up, even for others besides these.

“The king of the south will be strong. One of his princes will become stronger than him, and have dominion. His dominion will be a great dominion.

He will come into the realm of the king of the south, but he will return into his own land.

that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” says the LORD who does this.

Saviours will go up on Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom will be the LORD’s.

He who breaks open the way goes up before them. They break through the gate, and go out. Their king passes on before them, with the LORD at their head.

But in the latter days, it will happen that the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established on the top of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills; and peoples will stream to it.

and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.

and I will make that which was lame a remnant, and that which was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD will reign over them on Mount Zion from then on, even forever.”

You, tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come. Yes, the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small amongst the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me who is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.

He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. They will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory, as the waters cover the sea.

For this is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Yet once more, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;

and I will shake all nations. The treasure of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Armies.

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says the LORD of Armies.

“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ‘I will shake the heavens and the earth.

I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them. The horses and their riders will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.

In that day, says the LORD of Armies, I will take you, Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of Armies.”

Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell amongst you, and you shall know that the LORD of Armies has sent me to you.

The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.

“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you will know that the LORD of Armies has sent me to you.

Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

and speak to him, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch! He will grow up out of his place; and he will build the LORD’s temple.

He will build the LORD’s temple. He will bear the glory, and will sit and rule on his throne. He will be a priest on his throne. The counsel of peace will be between them both.

The LORD says: “I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the middle of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called ‘The City of Truth;’ and the mountain of the LORD of Armies, ‘The Holy Mountain.’”

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations. His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

The LORD will be King over all the earth. In that day the LORD will be one, and his name one.

It will happen that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of Armies, and to keep the feast of booths.

In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO THE LORD”; and the pots in the LORD’s house will be like the bowls before the altar.

Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of Armies; and all those who sacrifice will come and take of them, and cook in them. In that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Armies.

Jesse became the father of King David. David the king became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,

“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”

‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least amongst the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”

From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness amongst the people.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;

But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’

Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven,

but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness amongst the people.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the labourers are few.

As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’

But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.

Most certainly I tell you, amongst those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptiser; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

From the days of John the Baptiser until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.

“He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters.

He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.

For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.

When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.

What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately with joy receives it;

He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,

He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took, and sowed in his field,

which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”

He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.”

He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,

the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one.

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and those who do iniquity,

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,

who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind,

which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away.

So it will be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from amongst the righteous,

He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”

I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.

Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.

Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

But many will be last who are first, and first who are last.

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.

So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.”

“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.

“Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding feast for his son,

and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.

Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding feast!”’

‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places.

This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

“But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;

and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.

He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.

Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.

“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship,

and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left.

Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.

Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.

Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.

Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”

They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they knelt down before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!’”

Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom,

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”

He said to them, “Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason.”

He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,

He said, “God’s Kingdom is as if a man should cast seed on the earth,

He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?

It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth,

yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”

For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God’s Kingdom come with power.”

“Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”

If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire,

But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.

Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!

It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News,

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.”

but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”

Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.

The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.

Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.”

Jesus said, “I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.”

Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”

Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

The superscription of his accusation was written over him: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him.” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him.

Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.

So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”

But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.”

He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for God’s Kingdom is yours.

“For I tell you, amongst those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptiser; yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.”

Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve,

He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’

He sent them out to preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick.

They departed and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News and healing everywhere.

But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them of God’s Kingdom, and he cured those who needed healing.

For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.

But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here who will in no way taste of death until they see God’s Kingdom.”

and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least amongst you all, this one will be great.”

But Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.”

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’

‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’

He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls.

If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you.

“He who is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters.

But seek God’s Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.

“Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

He said, “What is God’s Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and put in his own garden. It grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky live in its branches.”

Again he said, “To what shall I compare God’s Kingdom?

It is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

When once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside.

They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom.

Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”

When one of those who sat at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is he who will feast in God’s Kingdom!”

But he said to him, “A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people.

“The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, “God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation;

neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”

It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed.

I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken and the other will be left.

There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other will be left.”

Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.

Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!

For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake,

who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”

As they heard these things, he went on and told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that God’s Kingdom would be revealed immediately.

He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’

“When he had come back again, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by conducting business.

But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’”

saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”

David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near.

for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.”

for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”

He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’

I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,

that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”

and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom.

You are witnesses of these things.

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”

He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”

Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.

“He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.

Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.

“Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

Jesus answered them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Now is the judgement of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.

The glory which you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one,

I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me.

Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.

Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”

Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”

They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, “I am King of the Jews.”’”

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom.

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.

The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,

For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand

until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.

‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord. ‘Or what is the place of my rest?

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.

The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—

strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.

that the rest of men may seek after the Lord: all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!”

The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands.

He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s Kingdom.

“Now, behold, I know that you all, amongst whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.

When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.

preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

For it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’”

for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”

You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you!

For God’s Kingdom is not in word, but in power.

Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,

nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom.

But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s at his coming.

Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father, when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power.

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection”, it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him.

When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.

The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven.

As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can’t inherit God’s Kingdom; neither does the perishable inherit imperishable.

If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be cursed. Come, Lord!

envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practise such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.

to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him.

far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,

So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God,

Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,

For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they laboured with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,

who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love,

If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.

to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.

to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,

then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.

For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgement of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which you also suffer.

which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News,

If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.

When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of your Kingdom.

But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?”

Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t yet see all things subjected to him.

Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus,

Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels,

to the festal gathering and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.”

This phrase, “Yet once more” signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.

Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,

For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.

Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?

who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.

He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, “Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this.”

Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne

that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.

Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the middle of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

The first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.

I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals.

I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?”

No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or to look in it.

Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

and made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign on the earth.”

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” They went up into heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!”

saying: “We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and reigned.

God’s temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.

A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God and to his throne.

I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.

I looked, and saw a white cloud, and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was darkened. They gnawed their tongues because of the pain,

The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates. Its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings that come from the sunrise.

for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that great day of God the Almighty.

He gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew, “Harmagedon”.

The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”

The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, and the other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while.

The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction.

The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.

These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.

The woman whom you saw is the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!

I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgement was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.

I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them.

I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.

I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people; and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls which were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”

He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

having a great and high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.

The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

He who spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls.

The city is square. Its length is as great as its width. He measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand and twelve stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal.

Its wall is one hundred and forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.

The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.

The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire; the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it and its lamp is the Lamb.

The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there),

and they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations into it so that they may enter.

There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him.

There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.