5th April

¹ Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.² And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.³ And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD!⁴ And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?⁵ And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.⁶ And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.⁷ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,⁸ Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.⁹ And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.¹⁰ And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?¹¹ And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.¹² And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.¹³ This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.¹⁴ And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:¹⁵ How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:¹⁶ And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:¹⁷ Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.¹⁸ And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.¹⁹ And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing anything else, go through on my feet.²⁰ And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.²¹ Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.²² And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.²³ And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,²⁴ Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.²⁵ Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:²⁶ And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.²⁷ And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.²⁸ And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.²⁹ And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.

¹ And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.² And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.³ And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.⁴ And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.⁵ And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.⁶ And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.⁷ Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.⁸ And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.⁹ And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.¹⁰ And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.¹¹ And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sunrising.¹² From thence they removed, and pitched in the valley of Zared.¹³ From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.¹⁴ Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,¹⁵ And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.¹⁶ And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.¹⁷ Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:¹⁸ The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:¹⁹ And from Mattanah to Nahaliel: and from Nahaliel to Bamoth:²⁰ And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.²¹ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,²² Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.²³ And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.²⁴ And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.²⁵ And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.²⁶ For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.²⁷ Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:²⁸ For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.²⁹ Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.³⁰ We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.³¹ Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.³² And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.³³ And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.³⁴ And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.³⁵ So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.

¹ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.² The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.⁴ A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.⁵ A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.⁶ In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.¹⁰ Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.¹¹ Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?¹² A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.¹³ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.¹⁴ The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.¹⁶ Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.¹⁸ A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.¹⁹ The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.²⁰ A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.²¹ Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.²² Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.²³ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!²⁴ The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.²⁵ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.²⁷ He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.²⁸ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.³¹ The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.³² He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.³³ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:² Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.¹⁵ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,¹⁶ Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:²² And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

¹ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.¹¹ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.¹⁴ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;¹⁶ And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:¹⁷ And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.¹⁸ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.¹⁹ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.