Read Scripture In A Year: May 9

Passage 1: Deuteronomy 26

(Deu 26:1) Also when thou shalt come into the lande which the Lord thy God giueth thee for inheritance, and shalt possesse it, and dwell therein,

(Deu 26:2) Then shalt thou take of the first of all the fruite of the earth, and bring it out of the lande that the Lord thy God giueth thee, and put it in a basket, and goe vnto the place, which the Lord thy God shall chose to place his Name there.

(Notes Reference) (a) That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put [it] in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to (b) place his name there.

(a) By this ceremony they acknowledged that they received the land of Canaan as a free gift from God.

(b) To be called upon, served and worshipped spiritually, (Deu_12:5).

(Deu 26:3) And thou shalt come vnto the Priest, that shall be in those dayes, and say vnto him, I acknowledge this day vnto the Lord thy God, that I am come vnto the countrey which the Lord sware vnto our fathers for to giue vs.

(Deu 26:4) Then the Priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it downe before the altar of the Lord thy God.

(Deu 26:5) And thou shalt answere and say before the Lord thy God, A Syrian was my father, who being ready to perish for hunger, went downe into Egypt, and soiourned there with a small company, and grew there vnto a nation great, mightie and full of people.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A (c) Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, (d) and populous:

(d) Only by God's mercy, and not by their father's deserving.

(Deu 26:6) And the Egyptians vexed vs, and troubled vs, and laded vs with cruell bondage.

(Deu 26:7) But when we cried vnto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heard our voyce, and looked on our aduersitie, and on our labour, and on our oppression.

(Notes Reference) And when we (e) cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:

(e) Alleging the promises made to our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

(Deu 26:8) And the Lord brought vs out of Egypt in a mightie hande, and a stretched out arme, with great terriblenesse, both in signes and wonders.

(Deu 26:9) And he hath brought vs into this place, and hath giuen vs this land, euen a lande that floweth with milke and hony.

(Deu 26:10) And now, lo, I haue brought ye first fruites of the land which thou, O Lord, hast giuen me, and thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God:

(Notes Reference) And now, behold, I have (f) brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:

(f) In token of a thankful heart, and mindful of this benefit.

(Deu 26:11) And thou shalt reioyce in all the good things which the Lord thy God hath giuen vnto thee and to thine houshold, thou and the Leuite, and the stranger that is among you.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt rejoice in every good [thing] which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine (g) house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that [is] among you.

(g) Signifying that God does not give us goods for ourselves only, but to be used also by those who are committed to our charge.

(Deu 26:12) When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tythes of thine increase, the thirde yeere, which is the yeere of tithing, and hast giuen it vnto the Leuite, to the stranger, to the fatherlesse, and to the widowe, that they may eate within thy gates, and be satisfied,

(Deu 26:13) Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I haue brought the halowed thing out of mine house, and also haue giuen it vnto the Leuites and to the strangers, to the fatherlesse, and to the widow, according to all thy comandements which thou hast commanded me: I haue transgressed none of thy comandements, nor forgotten them.

(Notes Reference) Then thou shalt (h) say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of [mine] house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not (i) transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten [them]:

(h) Without hypocrisy.

(i) Of malice and contempt.

(Deu 26:14) I haue not eaten therof in my mourning, nor suffred ought to perish through vncleannes, nor giuen ought thereof for the dead, but haue hearkened vnto the voyce of the Lord my God: I haue done after al that thou hast comaded me.

(Notes Reference) I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away [ought] thereof for [any] unclean [use], nor given [ought] thereof for the dead: [but] I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, [and] have done (m) according to all that thou hast commanded me.

(m) As far as my sinful nature would allow: or else as David and Paul say, there is not one just, (Psa_14:3; Rom_3:10).

(Deu 26:15) Looke downe from thine holy habitation, euen from heauen, and blesse thy people Israel, and the lande which thou hast giuen vs (as thou swarest vnto our fathers) the land that floweth with milke and hony.

(Deu 26:16) This day the Lord thy God doeth command thee to do these ordinances, and lawes: keepe them therefore, and do them with al thine heart, and with all thy soule.

(Notes Reference) This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with (n) all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

(n) With a good and simple conscience.

(Deu 26:17) Thou hast set vp the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walke in his wayes, and to keepe his ordinances, and his commandements, and his lawes, and to hearken vnto his voyce.

(Deu 26:18) And the Lord hath set thee vp this day, to be a precious people vnto him (as hee hath promised thee) and that thou shouldest keepe all his commandements,

(Notes Reference) (o) And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that [thou] shouldest keep all his commandments;

(o) Signifying that there is a mutual bond between God and his people.

(Deu 26:19) And to make thee high aboue al nations (which he hath made) in praise, and in name, and in glory, and that thou shouldest be an holy people vnto the Lord thy God, as he hath said.

Passage 2: Songofsolomon 6

(Son 6:1) O the fairest among women, whither is thy welbeloued gone? whither is thy welbeloued turned aside, that we may seeke him with thee?

(Notes Reference) Where is thy beloved gone, (k) O thou fairest among women? where is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

(k) Hearing of the excellency of Christ, the faithful desire to know how to find him.

(Son 6:2) My welbeloued is gone downe into his garden to the beds of spices, to feede in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

(Notes Reference) My beloved is gone down into his (a) garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

(a) That is, is conversant here in earth among men.

(Son 6:3) I am my welbeloueds, and my welbeloued is mine, who feedeth among the lilies.

(Son 6:4) Thou art beautifull, my loue, as Tirzah, comely as Ierusale, terrible as an army with baners.

(Notes Reference) Thou [art] beautiful, O my love, as (b) Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as [an army] with banners.

(b) Which was a fair and strong city, (1Ki 14:17).

(Son 6:5) Turne away thine eyes from me: for they ouercome mee: thine heare is like a flocke of goates, which looke downe from Gilead.

(Notes Reference) (c) Turn away thy eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair [is] as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.

(Son 6:6) Thy teeth are like a flocke of sheepe, which goe vp from the washing, which euery one bring out twinnes, and none is barren among them.

(Son 6:7) Thy temples are within thy lockes as a piece of a pomegranate.

(Son 6:8) There are threescore Queenes and fourescore concubines and of the damsels without nober.

(Notes Reference) There are (d) sixty queens, and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.

(d) Meaning that the gifts are infinite which Christ gives to his Church: or that his faithful are many in number.

(Son 6:9) But my doue is alone, and my vndefiled, she is the onely daughter of her mother, and shee is deare to her that bare her: the daughters haue seene her and counted her blessed: euen the Queenes and the concubines, and they haue praised her.

(Son 6:10) Who is shee that looketh foorth as the morning, fayre as the moone, pure as the sunne, terrible as an armie with banners!

(Notes Reference) (e) Who [is] she [that] looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, [and] terrible as [an army] with banners?

(e) He shows that the beginning of the Church was small, but that it grew up to a great multitude.

(Son 6:11) I went downe to the garden of nuttes, to see the fruites of the valley, to see if the vine budded, and if the pomegranates flourished.

(Notes Reference) I went down into the (f) garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, [and] to see whether the vine flourished, [and] the pomegranates budded.

(f) He went down into the synagogue to see what fruits came from the law, and the prophets.

(Son 6:12) I knewe nothing, my soule set me as the charets of my noble people.

(Notes Reference) (g) Before I was aware, my soul made me (h) [like] the chariots of Amminadib.

(g) I found nothing but rebellion.

(h) Or, Set me on the chariots of my willing people.

(Son 6:13) Returne, returne, O Shulamite, returne: returne that we may behold thee. What shall you see in the Shulamite, but as the company of an armie?

(Notes Reference) Return, return, O (i) Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.

(i) O ye people of Jerusalem, for Jerusalem was called Shalem which signifies peace.

Passage 3: Acts 21-22

(Act 21:1) And as we launched forth, and were departed from them, we came with a straight course vnto Coos, and the day following vnto the Rhodes, and from thence vnto Patara.

(Notes Reference) And (1) it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the [day] following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

(1) Not only ordinary men, but even our friends, and such as are endued with the Spirit of God, sometimes go about to hinder the course of our calling: but it is our part to go forward without any stopping or staggering, after we are sure of our calling from God.

(Act 21:2) And we found a ship that went ouer vnto Phenice, and went aboard, and set forth.

(Act 21:3) And whe we had discouered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed toward Syria, and arriued at Tyrus: for there the ship vnladed ye burden.

(Act 21:4) And when we had found disciples, we taried there seuen dayes. And they told Paul through the Spirit, that he should not goe vp to Hierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the (a) Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

(a) They foretold through the Spirit what dangers were about to befall Paul, and this they did as prophets: but they misdirected him away from Jerusalem because of a fleshly affection.

(Act 21:5) But when the dayes were ended, we departed and went our way, and they all accompanied vs with their wiues and children, euen out of the citie: and we kneeling downe on the shore, prayed.

(Act 21:6) Then when we had embraced one another, we tooke ship, and they returned home.

(Act 21:7) And when we had ended the course from Tyrus, we arriued at Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

(Act 21:8) And the next day, Paul and we that were with him, departed, and came vnto Cesarea: and we entred into the house of Philippe the Euangelist, which was one of the seuen Deacons, and abode with him.

(Notes Reference) And the next [day] we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was [one] of the (b) seven; and abode with him.

(b) He speaks of the seven deacons which he mentioned before in (Act 6:1-7).

(Act 21:9) Now he had foure daughters virgins, which did prophecie.

(Notes Reference) And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did (c) prophesy.

(Act 21:10) And as we taried there many dayes, there came a certaine Prophet from Iudea, named Agabus.

(Act 21:11) And when he was come vnto vs, he tooke Pauls girdle, and bound his owne hands and feete, and sayd, Thus sayth the holy Ghost, So shall the Iewes at Hierusalem binde the man that oweth this girdle, and shall deliuer him into the hands of the Gentiles.

(Act 21:12) And when we had heard these things, both we and other of the same place besought him that he would not go vp to Hierusalem.

(Act 21:13) Then Paul answered, and sayd, What doe ye weeping and breaking mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound onely, but also to die at Hierusalem for the Name of the Lord Iesus.

(Act 21:14) So when he would not be perswaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

(Notes Reference) (2) And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

(2) The will of God bridles all affections in those who earnestly seek the glory of God.

(Act 21:15) And after those dayes we trussed vp our fardels, and went vp to Hierusalem.

(Act 21:16) There went with vs also certaine of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an olde disciple, with whome we should lodge.

(Act 21:17) And when we were come to Hierusalem, the brethren receiued vs gladly.

(Act 21:18) And the next day Paul went in with vs vnto Iames: and all the Elders were there assembled.

(Act 21:19) And when he had embraced them, hee tolde by order all things, that God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministration.

(Notes Reference) (3) And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

(3) God is to be praised, who is the author of all good sayings and deeds.

(Act 21:20) So when they heard it, they glorified God, and sayd vnto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousand Iewes there are which beleeue, and they are all zealous of the Law:

(Notes Reference) (4) And when they heard [it], they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

(4) In things indifferent (of which sort the traditions of the Pharisees were not, but rather the ceremonies of the Law, until the time when Christian liberty was more fully revealed to the Jews) charity exhorts us to conform or apply ourselves willingly so far as we may, to our brethren who do not stubbornly and maliciously resist the truth (but are not thoroughly instructed), especially if the question pertains to a whole multitude.

(Act 21:21) Now they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Iewes, which are among the Gentiles, to forsake Moses, and sayest that they ought not to circumcise their sonnes, neither to liue after the customes.

(Act 21:22) What is then to be done? the multitude must needes come together: for they shall heare that thou art come.

(Act 21:23) Doe therefore this that we say to thee. We haue foure men, which haue made a vowe,

(Act 21:24) Them take, and purifie thy selfe with them, and contribute with them, that they may shaue their heads: and all shall knowe, that those things, whereof they haue bene informed concerning thee, are nothing, but that thou thy selfe also walkest and keepest the Lawe.

(Notes Reference) Them take, and (d) purify thyself with them, and (e) be at charges with them, that they may shave [their] heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but [that] thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

(d) That is, consecrate thyself: for he does not speak here of the unclean, but of those who are subject to the vow of the Nazarites.

(e) That it may be known that you were not only present at the vow, but also a main participator in it: and therefore it is said afterwards that Paul declared the days of purification: for although the offerings for the Nazarites offerings were appointed, yet they might add somewhat unto them; see (Num 6:21).

(Act 21:25) For as touching ye Gentiles, which beleeue, we haue written, and determined that they obserue no such thing, but that they keepe themselues from things offred to idoles, and from blood, and from that that is strangled, and from fornication.

(Act 21:26) Then Paul tooke the men, and the next day was purified with them, and entred into the Temple, declaring the accomplishment of the dayes of the purification, vntill that an offering should be offered for euery one of them.

(Notes Reference) Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, (f) to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

(f) The priests were to be informed of the accomplishment of the days of the purification, because there were sacrifices to be offered the same day that their vow was ended.

(Act 21:27) And when the seuen dayes were almost ended, the Iewes which were of Asia (when they sawe him in the Temple) moued all the people, and laide hands on him,

(Notes Reference) (5) And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

(5) A preposterous zeal is the cause of great confusion and great troubles.

(Act 21:28) Crying, Men of Israel, helpe: this is the man that teacheth all men euery where against the people, and the Lawe, and this place: moreouer, he hath brought Grecians into the Temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

(Act 21:29) For they had seene before Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the citie, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the Temple.

(Act 21:30) Then all the citie was moued, and the people ran together: and they tooke Paul and drewe him out of the Temple, and forth with the doores were shut.

(Act 21:31) But as they went about to kill him, tydings came vnto the chiefe captaine of the band, that all Hierusalem was on an vproare.

(Notes Reference) (6) And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

(6) God finds some even amongst the wicked and profane themselves, to hinder the endeavours of the rest.

(Act 21:32) Who immediately tooke souldiers and Centurions, and ran downe vnto them: and when they sawe the chiefe Captaine and the souldiers, they left beating of Paul.

(Act 21:33) Then the chiefe Captaine came neere and tooke him, and commanded him to be bound with two chaines, and demaunded who he was, and what he had done.

(Act 21:34) And one cryed this, another that, among the people. So when he could not know the certeintie for the tumult, he commanded him to be led into the castell.

(Act 21:35) And when hee came vnto the grieces, it was so that he was borne of the souldiers, for the violence of the people.

(Act 21:36) For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

(Act 21:37) And as Paul should haue bene led into the castell, he sayd vnto the chiefe Captaine, May I speake vnto thee? Who sayd, Canst thou speake Greeke?

(Act 21:38) Art not thou the Egyptian who before these dayes raised a sedition, and led out into the wildernesse foure thousande men that were murtherers?

(Notes Reference) Art not thou that (g) Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

(g) Concerning this Egyptian who assembled thirty thousand men, read Josephus, book 2, chap. 12.

(Act 21:39) Then Paul sayde, Doubtlesse, I am a man which am a Iewe, and citizen of Tarsus, a famous citie of Cilicia, and I beseech thee, suffer mee to speake vnto the people.

(Act 21:40) And when he had giuen him licence, Paul stoode on the grieces, and beckened with the hand vnto the people: and when there was made great silence, hee spake vnto them in the Hebrewe tongue, saying,

(Act 22:1) Ye men, brethren and Fathers, heare my defence nowe towards you.

(Act 22:2) (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrewe tongue to them, they kept the more silence, and he sayd)

(Act 22:3) I am verely a man, which am a Iew, borne in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought vp in this citie at the feete of Gamaliel, and instructed according to the perfect maner of the Lawe of the Fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

(Notes Reference) (1) I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the (a) feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

(1) Paul, making a short declaration of his former life, proves both his calling and doctrine to be from God.

(a) That is, his daily hearer: the reason of this speech is this: those who teach commonly sit in the higher place, speaking to their students who sit upon benches beneath, and therefore he says "at the feet of Gamaliel".

(Act 22:4) And I persecuted this way vnto the death, binding and deliuering into prison both men and women.

(Act 22:5) As also ye chiefe Priest doeth beare me witnes, and al the company of the Elders: of whom also I receiued letters vnto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there, bound vnto Hierusalem, that they might be punished.

(Act 22:6) And so it was, as I iourneyed and was come neere vnto Damascus about noone, that suddenly there shone from heauen a great light round about me.

(Act 22:7) So I fell vnto the earth, and heard a voyce, saying vnto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou mee?

(Act 22:8) Then I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Iesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

(Act 22:9) Moreouer they that were with me, sawe in deede a light and were afraide: but they heard not the voyce of him that spake vnto me.

(Act 22:10) Then I sayd, What shall I doe, Lord? And the Lord sayde vnto me, Arise, and goe into Damascus: and there it shall be tolde thee of all things, which are appointed for thee to doe.

(Act 22:11) So when I could not see for the glory of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus.

(Act 22:12) And one Ananias a godly man, as perteining to the Lawe, hauing good report of all the Iewes which dwelt there,

(Act 22:13) Came vnto me, and stoode, and sayd vnto me, Brother Saul, receiue thy sight: and that same houre I looked vpon him.

(Act 22:14) And he sayd, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee, that thou shouldest knowe his wil, and shouldest see that Iust one, and shouldest heare the voyce of his mouth.

(Act 22:15) For thou shalt be his witnes vnto all men, of the things which thou hast seene and heard.

(Act 22:16) Now therefore why tariest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sinnes, in calling on the Name of the Lord.

(Act 22:17) And it came to passe, that when I was come againe to Hierusalem, and prayed in the Temple, I was in a traunce,

(Act 22:18) And saw him saying vnto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Hierusalem: for they will not receiue thy witnes concerning me.

(Act 22:19) Then I sayd, Lord, they know that I prisoned, and beat in euery Synagogue them that beleeued in thee.

(Act 22:20) And when the blood of thy martyr Steuen was shed, I also stood by, and consented vnto his death, and kept the clothes of them that slew him.

(Notes Reference) And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that (b) slew him.

(b) This is properly spoken, for Steven was murdered by a bunch of cutthroats, not by order of justice, but by open force: for at that time the Jews could not put any man to death by law.

(Act 22:21) Then he sayd vnto me, Depart: for I will send thee farre hence vnto the Gentiles.

(Act 22:22) And they heard him vnto this worde, but then they lift vp their voyces, and sayd, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not meete that he should liue.

(Notes Reference) (2) And they gave him audience unto this word, and [then] lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a [fellow] from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

(2) Resolute and stubborn pride will neither embrace the truth itself, neither allow others to receive it.

(Act 22:23) And as they cried and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the aire,

(Notes Reference) And as they (c) cried out, and cast off [their] clothes, and threw dust into the air,

(Act 22:24) The chiefe captaine commanded him to be led into the castle, and bade that he should be scourged, and examined, that he might knowe wherefore they cryed so on him.

(Notes Reference) (3) The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

(3) The wisdom of the flesh does not consider what is just, but what is profitable, and in addition takes into account the profit that can be gained, according as it presently appears.

(Act 22:25) And as they bound him with thongs, Paul sayd vnto the Centurion that stood by, Is it lawfull for you to scourge one that is a Romane, and not condemned?

(Notes Reference) (4) And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

(4) There is no reason why we may not use those lawful means which God gives us in order to repel or prevent an injury.

(Act 22:26) Nowe when the Centurion heard it, hee went, and tolde the chiefe captaine, saying, Take heede what thou doest: for this man is a Romane.

(Act 22:27) Then the chiefe captaine came, and sayd to him, Tel me, art thou a Romane? And he said, Yea.

(Act 22:28) And the chiefe captaine answered, With a great summe obtained I this freedome. Then Paul sayd, But I was so borne.

(Act 22:29) Then straightway they departed from him, which should haue examined him: and the chiefe captaine also was afrayd, after he knewe that hee was a Romane, and that he had bound him.

(Notes Reference) Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was (d) a Roman, and because he had bound him.

(d) Not by nation, but by the law of his city of birth.

(Act 22:30) On the next day, because hee would haue knowen the certaintie wherefore he was accused of the Iewes, he loosed him from his bonds, and commanded the hie Priests and all their Councill to come together: and he brought Paul, and set him before them.