Read Scripture In A Year: May 2

Passage 1: Deuteronomy 19

(Deu 19:1) When the Lord thy God shall roote out the nations, whose lande the Lord thy God giueth thee, and thou shalt possesse them, and dwell in their cities, and in their houses,

(Deu 19:2) Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the middes of thy lande which the Lord thy God giueth thee to possesse it.

(Deu 19:3) Thou shalt prepare thee the way, and deuide the coastes of the land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee to inherite, into three parts, that euery manslayer may flee thither.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt (a) prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every (b) slayer may flee thither.

(a) Make an open and ready way.

(b) Who killed against his will, and bore no hatred in his heart.

(Deu 19:4) This also is ye cause wherfore the manslayer shall flee thither, and liue: who so killeth his neighbor ignorantly, and hated him not in time passed:

(Deu 19:5) As hee that goeth vnto the wood with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand striketh with the axe to cut downe the tree, if the head slip from the helue, and hit his neighbour that he dieth, the same shall flee vnto one of the cities, and liue,

(Notes Reference) As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he (c) shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:

(Deu 19:6) Least the auenger of the blood follow after the manslayer, while his heart is chafed, and ouertake him, because the way is long, and slaie him, although he be not worthy of death, because he hated him not in time passed.

(Deu 19:7) Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt appoint out three cities for thee.

(Deu 19:8) And when the Lord thy God enlargeth thy coastes (as he hath sworne vnto thy fathers) and giueth thee all the lande which he promised to giue vnto thy fathers,

(Notes Reference) And if the LORD thy God (d) enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;

(d) When you go over Jordan to possess the whole land of Canaan.

(Deu 19:9) (If thou keepe all these commandements to doe them, which I commaund thee this day: to wit, that thou loue the Lord thy God, and walke in his waies for euer) then shalt thou adde three cities moe for thee besides those three,

(Deu 19:10) That innocent bloude be not shed within thy land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee to inherite, lest bloud be vpon thee.

(Notes Reference) That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance, and (e) [so] blood be upon thee.

(e) Lest you be punished for innocent blood.

(Deu 19:11) But if a man hate his neighbour, and lay waite for him, and rise against him, and smite any man that he die, and flee vnto any of these cities,

(Deu 19:12) Then the Elders of his citie shall send and set him thence, and deliuer him into the hands of the auenger of the blood, that he may die.

(Notes Reference) Then the (f) elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

(f) The magistrates.

(Deu 19:13) Thine eye shall not spare him, but thou shalt put away the crie of innocent blood from Israel, that it may goe well with thee.

(Notes Reference) Thine (g) eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away [the guilt of] innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.

(g) Then whoever pardons murder, goes against the word of God.

(Deu 19:14) Thou shalt not remooue thy neighbours marke, which they of olde time haue set in thine inheritance, that thou shalt inherite in the lande, which ye Lord thy God giueth thee to possesse it.

(Deu 19:15) One witnes shall not rise against a man for any trespasse, or for any sinne, or for any fault that hee offendeth in, but at the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses shall the matter be stablished.

(Deu 19:16) If a false witnesse rise vp against a man to accuse him of trespasse,

(Deu 19:17) Then both the men which striue together, shall stand before ye Lord, euen before the Priests and the Iudges, which shall be in those daies,

(Notes Reference) Then both the men, between whom the controversy [is], shall stand before the (h) LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

(h) God's presence where his true ministers are assembled.

(Deu 19:18) And the Iudges shall make diligent inquisition: and if the witnesse be found false, and hath giuen false witnes against his brother,

(Deu 19:19) Then shall yee doe vnto him as hee had thought to doe vnto his brother: so thou shalt take euil away forth of the middes of thee.

(Deu 19:20) And the rest shall heare this, and feare, and shall henceforth commit no more any such wickednes among you.

(Deu 19:21) Therefore thine eye shall have no compassion, but life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foote for foote.

Passage 2: Ecclesiastes 11

(Ecc 11:1) Cast thy bread vpon the waters: for after many daies thou shalt finde it.

(Notes Reference) Cast thy bread upon the (a) waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

(a) That is, be liberal to the poor, and though it seems to be as a thing ventured on the sea, yet it will bring you profit.

(Ecc 11:2) Giue a portion to seuen, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what euill shalbe vpon ye earth.

(Ecc 11:3) If the clouds be full, they wil powre forth raine vpon the earth: and if the tree doe fall toward the South, or toward the North, in the place that the tree falleth, there it shalbe.

(Notes Reference) If the (b) clouds are full of rain, they empty [themselves] upon the earth: and if the (c) tree falleth toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

(b) As the clouds that are full pour out rain, so the rich that have abundance must distribute it liberally.

(Ecc 11:4) He that obserueth ye winde, shall not sow, and he that regardeth the cloudes, shall not reape.

(Notes Reference) He that observeth the (d) wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

(d) He who fears inconveniences when need requires will never do his duty.

(Ecc 11:5) As thou knowest not which is ye way of the spirit, nor how the bones doe growe in the wombe of her that is with child: so thou knowest not the worke of God that worketh all.

(Ecc 11:6) In the morning sowe thy seede, and in the euening let not thine hand rest: for thou knowest not whither shall prosper, this or that, or whether both shalbe a like good.

(Notes Reference) In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening (e) withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not which shall prosper, either this or (f) that, or whether they both [shall be] alike good.

(e) Be not weary of well doing.

(f) That is, which of your works are most agreeable to God.

(Ecc 11:7) Surely the light is a pleasant thing: and it is a good thing to the eyes to see the sunne.

(Ecc 11:8) Though a man liue many yeeres, and in them all he reioyce, yet hee shall remember the daies of darkenesse, because they are manie, all that commeth is vanitie.

(Notes Reference) But if a man shall live many years, [and] rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of (g) darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh [is] vanity.

(g) That is, of affliction and trouble.

(Ecc 11:9) Reioyce, O yong man, in thy youth, and let thine heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth: and walke in the waies of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but knowe that for all these things, God wil bring thee to iudgement.

(Notes Reference) (h) Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: but know thou, that for all these [things] God will bring thee into judgment.

(h) He derides them who set their desire in worldly pleasures as though God would not call count.

(Ecc 11:10) Therefore take away griefe out of thine heart, and cause euil to depart from thy flesh: for childehood and youth are vanitie.

(Notes Reference) Therefore remove (i) sorrow from thy heart, and (k) put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth [are] vanity.

(i) That is, anger and envy.

(k) Meaning, carnal lusts to which youth is given.

Passage 3: Acts 10

(Act 10:1) Futhermore there was a certaine man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a captaine of the band called the Italian band,

(Notes Reference) There (1) was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band],

(1) Peter consecrates the first fruits of the Gentiles to God by the means of two miracles.

(Act 10:2) A deuoute man, and one that feared God with all his housholde, which gaue much almes to the people, and prayed God continually.

(Notes Reference) [A] (a) devout [man], and one that feared God with (b) all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

(a) So that he worshipped one God, and was not an idolater, and neither could he be void of faith in Christ, because he was a devout man: but as of yet he did not know that Christ had come.

(b) This is a commendable thing about the man, that he laboured to have all his household, and well-known friends, and acquaintances to be religious and godly.

(Act 10:3) He sawe in a vision euidently (about the ninth houre of the day) an Angel of God comming in to him, and saying vnto him, Cornelius.

(Act 10:4) But when hee looked on him, hee was afrayd, and sayd, What is it, Lord? and he sayd vnto him, Thy prayers and thine almes are come vp into remembrance before God.

(Notes Reference) And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, (c) What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are (d) come up for (e) a memorial before God.

(d) This is a borrowed kind of speech which the Hebrews used very much, taken from sacrifices and applied to prayers: for it is said of whole burnt sacrifices that the smoke and smell of them goes up into God's nostrils, and so do our prayers, as a sweet smelling sacrifice which the Lord takes great pleasure in.

(e) That is, in as much that they will not allow God as it were to forget you: for so the Scripture often talks childish with us as nurses do with little children, when they prepare their tongues to speak.

(Act 10:5) Nowe therefore send men to Ioppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter.

(Act 10:6) Hee lodgeth with one Simon a Tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to doe.

(Act 10:7) And when the Angel which spake vnto Cornelius, was departed, he called two of his seruants, and a souldier that feared God, one of them that waited on him,

(Act 10:8) And tolde them all things, and sent them to Ioppa.

(Act 10:9) On the morow as they went on their iourney, and drew neere vnto the citie, Peter went vp vpon the house to pray, about the sixt houre.

(Act 10:10) Then waxed hee an hungred, and would haue eaten: but while they made some thing ready, he fell into a trance.

(Notes Reference) And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a (f) trance,

(f) For though Peter does not stand amazed as one that is tongue tied, but talks with God and is instructed in his mysteries, yet his mind was far from being as it normally was; shortly, however, it returned to its normal state.

(Act 10:11) And hee sawe heauen opened, and a certaine vessell come downe vnto him, as it had bene a great sheete, knit at the foure corners, and was let downe to the earth.

(Notes Reference) And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the (g) four corners, and let down to the earth:

(g) So that it seemed to be a square sheet.

(Act 10:12) Wherein were all maner of foure footed beastes of the earth, and wilde beastes and creeping things, and foules of the heauen.

(Notes Reference) Wherein were (h) all manner of (i) fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and (k) creeping things, and fowls of the air.

(h) Here is this word "all" which is general, plainly used for something indefinite and uncertain, that is to say, for some of all sorts, not for all of every sort.

(i) That is, such as were proper for men's use.

(k) To see what is meant by these creeping things see (Lev. 11:2-47).

(Act 10:13) And there came a voyce to him, Arise, Peter: kill, and eate.

(Act 10:14) But Peter sayd, Not so, Lord: for I haue neuer eaten any thing that is polluted, or vncleane.

(Notes Reference) (2) But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

(2) Peter learns daily in the knowledge of the benefit of Christ, yea, even after he had received the Holy Spirit.

(Act 10:15) And the voyce spake vnto him againe the second time, The things that God hath purified, pollute thou not.

(Notes Reference) And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] (l) call not thou common.

(l) Do not consider them to be unprofitable.

(Act 10:16) This was so done thrise: and the vessell was drawen vp againe into heauen.

(Act 10:17) Nowe while Peter douted in himselfe what this vision which he had seene, meant, beholde, the men which were sent from Cornelius, had inquired for Simons house, and stoode at the gate,

(Act 10:18) And called, and asked, whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

(Act 10:19) And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit sayde vnto him, Beholde, three men seeke thee.

(Act 10:20) Arise therefore, and get thee downe, and goe with them, and doute nothing: For I haue sent them.

(Act 10:21) Then Peter went downe to the men, which were sent vnto him from Cornelius, and sayd, Beholde, I am he whome ye seeke: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

(Act 10:22) And they sayd, Cornelius the captaine, a iust man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Iewes, was warned from heauen by an holy Angel, to send for thee into his house, and to heare thy wordes.

(Act 10:23) Then called he them in, and lodged them, and the next day, Peter went foorth with them, and certaine brethren from Ioppa accompanied him.

(Act 10:24) And the day after, they entred into Cesarea. Nowe Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsemen, and special friends.

(Act 10:25) And it came to passe as Peter came in, that Cornelius met him, and fell downe at his feete, and worshipped him.

(Notes Reference) (3) And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].

(3) Religious adoration of worship is proper only to God: but civil worship is given to the ministers of the word, although not without danger.

(Act 10:26) But Peter tooke him vp, saying, Stand vp: for euen I my selfe am a man.

(Act 10:27) And as he talked with him, he came in, and found many that were come together.

(Act 10:28) And he sayd vnto them, Ye know that it is an vnlawfull thing for a man that is a Iewe, to company, or come vnto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me, that I should not call any man polluted, or vncleane.

(Act 10:29) Therefore came I vnto you without saying nay, when I was sent for. I aske therefore, for what intent haue ye sent for me?

(Act 10:30) Then Cornelius sayd, Foure dayes agoe, about this houre, I fasted, and at the ninth houre I prayed in mine house, and beholde, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

(Notes Reference) And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until (m) this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

(m) He does not mean the very hour at the present time (as it was nine o'clock when he spoke to Peter), but the like, that is, about nine o'clock the other day.

(Act 10:31) And sayd, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine almes are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

(Notes Reference) (4) And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

(4) Cornelius' faith demonstrated itself by prayer and charity.

(Act 10:32) Send therefore to Ioppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter (he is lodged in the house of Simon a Tanner by the sea side) who when he commeth, shall speake vnto thee.

(Notes Reference) (5) Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of [one] Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

(5) As faith comes by hearing, so it is nourished and grows up by the same.

(Act 10:33) Then sent I for thee immediately, and thou hast well done to come. Nowe therefore are we all here present before God, to heare all things that are commanded thee of God.

(Act 10:34) Then Peter opened his mouth, and sayd, Of a trueth I perceiue, that God is no accepter of persons.

(Notes Reference) (6) Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that (n) God is no respecter of persons:

(6) Distinction of nations is taken away by the coming of Christ: and it is evidently seen by their faith and righteousness, which ones are agreeable to him and which ones he accepts. (n) That God does not judge according to the outward appearance.

(Act 10:35) But in euery nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousnesse, is accepted with him.

(Notes Reference) But in every nation he that (o) feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

(o) By the "fear of God" the Hebrews understood the whole service of God, by which we perceive that Cornelius was not void of faith, no more than they were who lived before Christ's time: and therefore they deal incorrectly who deduce meritorious works and free will from this passage.

(Act 10:36) Ye know the worde which God hath sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Iesus Christ, which is Lord of all:

(Notes Reference) The (p) word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

(p) God showed the Israelites that whoever lives godly is acceptable to God, no matter what nation he comes from, for he preached peace to men through Jesus Christ, who is Lord not only of one nation, that is, of the Jews, but of all.

(Act 10:37) Euen the worde which came through all Iudea, beginning in Galile, after the baptisme which Iohn preached.

(Notes Reference) (7) That word, [I say], ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

(7) The sum of the Gospel (which will be made manifest at the latter day, when Christ himself will sit as judge both of the living and the dead), is this, that Christ promised to the fathers and exhibited in his time with the mighty power of God (which was demonstrated by all means) and at length crucified to reconcile us to God, did rise again the third day, so that whoever believes in him should be saved through the remission of sins.

(Act 10:38) To wit, howe God anointed Iesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost, and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the deuill: for God was with him.

(Notes Reference) How God (q) anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

(q) This manner of speaking is taken from an old custom of the Jews, who used to anoint their kings and priests, because of which it came to pass to call those anointed upon whom God bestowed gifts and virtues.

(Act 10:39) And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Iewes, and in Hierusalem, whom they slewe, hanging him on a tree.

(Act 10:40) Him God raysed vp the third day, and caused that he was shewed openly:

(Act 10:41) Not to all the people, but vnto the witnesses chosen before of God, euen to vs which did eate and drinke with him, after he arose from the dead.

(Notes Reference) Not to all the people, but unto witnesses (r) chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

(r) This choosing of the apostles is properly given to God: for though God is president in the lawful election of ministers, yet there is in this place a secret opposition and setting of God's choosing and men's voices against one another, for the apostles are appointed directly by God, and the Church ministers indirectly.

(Act 10:42) And he commanded vs to preach vnto the people, and to testifie, that it is he that is ordained of God a iudge of quicke and dead.

(Act 10:43) To him also giue all the Prophets witnesse, that through his Name all that beleeue in him, shall receiue remission of sinnes.

(Act 10:44) While Peter yet spake these wordes, the holy Ghost fell on al them which heard the word.

(Notes Reference) (8) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

(8) The Spirit of God seals that in the heart of the hearers which the minister of the word speaks by the commandment of God, as is evident by the results.

(Act 10:45) So they of the circumcision which beleeued, were astonied, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was powred out the gift of the holy Ghost.

(Act 10:46) For they heard them speake with tongues, and magnifie God. Then answered Peter,

(Act 10:47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which haue receiued the holy Ghost, as well as we?

(Notes Reference) (9) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

(9) Baptism does not sanctify or make those holy who receive it, but is an outward sign to the world of the profession of faith. (Ed.)

(Act 10:48) So he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tary certaine dayes.