The Book of Psalms

⭑ Unlocked Dynamic Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 2 -

The triumphant Messiah

(Acts 4:23-31)

Why do the leaders of nations rage against Yahweh? Why do people plan to rebel against him, even though it is in vain?

The kings of the nations on earth prepare to revolt; the rulers plot together to fight against Yahweh and against his Anointed One.

They shout, “We should free ourselves from their control; we should not let them rule over us any longer!”

But the one who sits on his throne in heaven laughs at them; the Lord ridicules those rulers.

Then, because he is angry with them, he rebukes them. He causes them to be terrified when they realize that he will furiously punish them.

Yahweh says, “I have put my king on a throne on Zion, my sacred hill in Jerusalem.”

His king says, “I will proclaim what Yahweh has decreed. He said to me, ’You are my son; today I have become your father.

Request me to give you the nations so that they belong to you permanently, and I will give them to you. Even the most remote nations will be yours.

You will strike them down with an iron rod; like the potter crashes his pot into pieces when he throws it on the ground, that is how you will break them up into small pieces.

So then, you kings and other rulers on the earth, act wisely! Listen to what Yahweh is warning you!

Worship Yahweh; fervently honor him. Rejoice about the things he has done, but tremble before him!

Bow down humbly before his son! If you do not do that, he will be angry, and he will suddenly kill you. Do not forget that he can, in one moment, show that he is very angry! But how fortunate are all those who request him to protect them.

The triumphant Messiah

(Acts 4:23-31)

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed,(a) saying,

“Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord(b) will have them in derision.

Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:

“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.

Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Give sincere homage to the Son,(c) lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.

Footnotes

(a)2:2 The word “Anointed” is the same as the word for “Messiah” or “Christ”

(b)2:4 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”