Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 30:27-28 (Christian Standard Bible) 27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor with you, stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” 28 Then Laban said, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.” This is part of the (hi)story of Jacob as he […]

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Proverbs 6:12-13 (New Living Translation) 12 What are worthless and wicked people like?They are constant liars,13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye,a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers. Yikes! Here is a description of worthless and wicked people. First and foremost, they are constant liars. For some reason, they […]

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Genesis 18:18-19 (New Living Translation) 18 “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. 19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is […]

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1 Samuel 16:14 (New Living Translation) 14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. Here is the moment when King Saul’s life led to God favoring David instead. This is a horrible tragedy in the life of King Saul. […]

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Genesis 18:13-15 (New Living Translation) 13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” 15 Sarah was afraid, […]

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Psalm 24:3-6 (New Living Translation) 3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?Who may stand in his holy place?4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,who do not worship idolsand never tell lies.5 They will receive the Lord’s blessingand have a right relationship with God their savior.6 Such people may seek youand worship […]

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Job 17:3 (New Living Translation) You must defend my innocence, O God,since no one else will stand up for me. Job is speaking to his friends. He is literally sick and tired of it all. He is frustrated, but what he says is often correct. “Please God,” cries Job. “God alone cares for those who […]

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Job 1:18-19 (New Living Translation) 18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. 19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I […]

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2 Kings 22:11 (New Living Translation) 11 When the king (Josiah) heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. By accident, Hilkiah the high priest had found a copy of the Book of the Law—the law that God had given to the people. They brought a copy […]

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1 Kings 18:46 (New Living Translation) 46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel. Simple statement. The writer wants us to know that the prophet Elijah was able to reach Jezreel before Ahab […]

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