2CHRONICLES 1:
Yesterday we heard Hosea’s final and heart-felt warning. At the end of his book, Hosea penned a rather short apology on behalf of the people, requesting forgiveness. God responded lovingly, pleading for the people of Israel to stay away from idols. And now we return to the story we interrupted in the books of Chronicles.

PROVERBS 26a:
A highlighted verse for today is verse 12, which I like in both the NLT and the GNT.

Pro. 26:12 NLT There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise.

MATTHEW 7b:
Yesterday’s reading included one of the most often quoted but most poorly understood verses of the Bible. Check yourself before telling someone, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” If you are saying that in order to deflect criticism against yourself, you are doing what a hypocrite does. And ironically, not being a hypocrite is the main point of the passage. Nor is the meaning that we Christians must not judge other people at all. We must not judge hypocritically, but the Bible shows us how to judge rightly and fairly— as is necessary for us in this world.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.