Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle1Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.6When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

The One Who Sins Will Die1The word of the Lord came to me: 2“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:“ ‘The parents eat sour grapes,and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?3“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 4For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.5“Suppose there is a righteous manwho does what is just and right.6He does not eat at the mountain shrinesor look to the idols of Israel.He does not defile his neighbor’s wifeor have sexual relations with a woman during her period.7He does not oppress anyone,but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.He does not commit robberybut gives his food to the hungryand provides clothing for the naked.8He does not lend to them at interestor take a profit from them.He withholds his hand from doing wrongand judges fairly between two parties.9He follows my decreesand faithfully keeps my laws.That man is righteous;he will surely live,declares the Sovereign Lord.10“Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things 11(though the father has done none of them):“He eats at the mountain shrines.He defiles his neighbor’s wife.12He oppresses the poor and needy.He commits robbery.He does not return what he took in pledge.He looks to the idols.He does detestable things.13He lends at interest and takes a profit.Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.14“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things:15“He does not eat at the mountain shrinesor look to the idols of Israel.He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.16He does not oppress anyoneor require a pledge for a loan.He does not commit robberybut gives his food to the hungryand provides clothing for the naked.17He withholds his hand from mistreating the poorand takes no interest or profit from them.He keeps my laws and follows my decrees.He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. 18But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.19“Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. 20The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.21“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. 22None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. 23Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?24“But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.25“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 26If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. 27But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. 28Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. 29Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?30“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!A Lament Over Israel’s Princes1“Take up a lament concerning the princes of Israel 2and say:“ ‘What a lioness was your motheramong the lions!She lay down among themand reared her cubs.3She brought up one of her cubs,and he became a strong lion.He learned to tear the preyand he became a man-eater.4The nations heard about him,and he was trapped in their pit.They led him with hooksto the land of Egypt.5“ ‘When she saw her hope unfulfilled,her expectation gone,she took another of her cubsand made him a strong lion.6He prowled among the lions,for he was now a strong lion.He learned to tear the preyand he became a man-eater.7He broke down their strongholdsand devastated their towns.The land and all who were in itwere terrified by his roaring.8Then the nations came against him,those from regions round about.They spread their net for him,and he was trapped in their pit.9With hooks they pulled him into a cageand brought him to the king of Babylon.They put him in prison,so his roar was heard no longeron the mountains of Israel.10“ ‘Your mother was like a vine in your vineyardplanted by the water;it was fruitful and full of branchesbecause of abundant water.11Its branches were strong,fit for a ruler’s scepter.It towered highabove the thick foliage,conspicuous for its heightand for its many branches.12But it was uprooted in furyand thrown to the ground.The east wind made it shrivel,it was stripped of its fruit;its strong branches witheredand fire consumed them.13Now it is planted in the desert,in a dry and thirsty land.14Fire spread from one of its main branchesand consumed its fruit.No strong branch is left on itfit for a ruler’s scepter.’This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.”

32By the waters of Meribah they angered the Lord,and trouble came to Moses because of them;33for they rebelled against the Spirit of God,and rash words came from Moses’ lips.34They did not destroy the peoplesas the Lord had commanded them,35but they mingled with the nationsand adopted their customs.36They worshiped their idols,which became a snare to them.37They sacrificed their sonsand their daughters to false gods.38They shed innocent blood,the blood of their sons and daughters,whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,and the land was desecrated by their blood.39They defiled themselves by what they did;by their deeds they prostituted themselves.40Therefore the Lord was angry with his peopleand abhorred his inheritance.41He gave them into the hands of the nations,and their foes ruled over them.42Their enemies oppressed themand subjected them to their power.43Many times he delivered them,but they were bent on rebellionand they wasted away in their sin.44Yet he took note of their distresswhen he heard their cry;45for their sake he remembered his covenantand out of his great love he relented.46He caused all who held them captiveto show them mercy.47Save us, Lord our God,and gather us from the nations,that we may give thanks to your holy nameand glory in your praise.48Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,from everlasting to everlasting.Let all the people say, “Amen!”Praise the Lord.

10Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

One Year Bible

November 8, 2025

Reading Plan

Devotional

Pastor Larry Stockstill

Ezek. 18:1-19:14

Heb. 9:1-10

Psalm 106:32-48

Prov. 27:10