So don’t let anyone judge you because of what you eat or drink. Don’t let anyone judge you about holy days. I’m talking about special feasts and New Moons and Sabbath days.

所以，不拘在饮食上，或节期、月朔、安息日都不可让人论断你们。

所以，不要让任何人在饮食上，或节期、初一、安息日等事上评断你们。

所以，不要让任何人在饮食上，或节期、初一、安息日等事上评断你们。

所以，不可让人在饮食、节期、朔日或安息日的事上批评你们。

所以不要让人因着饮食、节期、月朔、安息日批评你们，

所以，在吃喝的事上，或在有关节日、月朔或安息日的事上，不要让人评断你们。

所以，不拘在飲食上，或節期、月朔、安息日都不可讓人論斷你們。

所以，不要讓任何人在飲食上，或節期、初一、安息日等事上評斷你們。

所以，不要讓任何人在飲食上，或節期、初一、安息日等事上評斷你們。

所以，不可讓人在飲食、節期、朔日或安息日的事上批評你們。

所以不要讓人因著飲食、節期、月朔、安息日批評你們，

所以別在喫喝上、或年節月初一安息日的方面上、讓人論斷你們了。

所以，在吃喝的事上，或在有關節日、月朔或安息日的事上，不要讓人評斷你們。

是以勿因飲食、節期、月朔、安息日、被人擬議、

爾勿以飲食、節期、月朔、安息日故、被人擬議、

故人勿因飲食、節期、月朔、安息日而議論爾曹、

是故若有人以飲食、節期、新月、安息等事、訾議爾等、弗恤可也。

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.

Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.

Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day—

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:

Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath[ days]:

Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days–

Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,

One person considers one day to be more holy than another. Another person thinks all days are the same. Each of them should be absolutely sure in their own mind.Whoever thinks that one day is special does so to honor the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to honor the Lord. They give thanks to God. And whoever doesn’t eat meat does so to honor the Lord. They also give thanks to God.

Now then, who are you to judge your brother or sister? Why do you act like you’re better than they are? We will all stand in God’s courtroom to be judged.

Let us stop judging one another. Instead, decide not to put anything in the way of a brother or sister. Don’t put anything in their way that would make them trip and fall.I am absolutely sure that nothing is“ unclean” in itself. The Lord Jesus has convinced me of this. But someone may consider a thing to be“ unclean.” If they do, it is“ unclean” for them.Your brother or sister may be upset by what you eat. If they are, you are no longer acting as though you love them. So don’t destroy them by what you eat. Remember that Christ died for them.So suppose you know something is good. Then don’t let it be spoken of as if it were evil.God’s kingdom is not about eating or drinking. It is about doing what is right and having peace and joy. All this comes through the Holy Spirit.

You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!

They also did it every time burnt offerings were brought to the Lord. Those offerings were brought every Sabbath day. They were also brought at every New Moon feast and during the appointed yearly feasts. The Levites served in front of the Lord at regular times. The proper number of Levites was always used when they served. They served in the way the law required.

He must provide the burnt offerings, grain offerings and drink offerings. They will be for the yearly feasts, New Moon feasts and Sabbath days. So they will be for all the appointed feasts of the people of Israel. The prince will provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings and friendship offerings. They will be used to pay for the sin of the Israelites.”

What goes into someone’s mouth does not make them‘ unclean.’ It’s what comes out of their mouth that makes them‘ unclean.’ ”

One person’s faith allows them to eat anything. But another person eats only vegetables because their faith is weak.The person who eats everything must not look down on the one who does not. And the one who doesn’t eat everything must not judge the person who does. That’s because God has accepted them.

It will pay for the holy bread that is placed on the table in the temple. It will pay for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings. It will pay for the offerings on the Sabbath days. It will pay for the offerings at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed feasts. It will pay for the holy offerings. It will be used for sin offerings to pay for the sins of Israel. It will also pay for everything else that needs to be done at the house of our God.

Don’t let all kinds of strange teachings lead you astray. It is good that God’s grace makes our hearts strong. Don’t try to grow strong by eating foods that the law requires. They have no value for the people who eat them.

But suppose someone says to you,“ This food has been sacrificed to a statue of a god.” Then don’t eat it. Keep in mind the good of the person who told you. And don’t eat because of a sense of what is right and wrong.I’m talking about the other person’s sense of what is right and wrong, not yours. Why is my freedom being judged by what someone else thinks?Suppose I give thanks when I eat. Then why should I be blamed for eating food I thank God for?So eat and drink and do everything else for the glory of God.

Don’t destroy the work of God because of food. All food is“ clean.” But it’s wrong to eat anything that might cause problems for someone else’s faith.Don’t eat meat if it causes your brother or sister to sin. Don’t drink wine or do anything else that will make them sin.

My brothers and sisters, don’t speak against one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister speaks against the law. And anyone who judges another believer judges the law. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it. Instead, you are acting as if you were its judge.

He used to eat with the Gentiles. But certain men came from a group sent by James. When they arrived, Peter began to draw back. He separated himself from the Gentiles. That’s because he was afraid of the circumcision group sent by James.Peter’s actions were not honest, and other Jews in Antioch joined him. Even Barnabas was led astray.

They do not allow people to get married. They order them not to eat certain foods. But God created those foods. So people who believe and know the truth should receive them and give thanks for them.Everything God created is good. You shouldn’t turn anything down. Instead, you should thank God for it.The word of God and prayer make it holy.

The Lord said to Moses,“ Here is a command I want you to give the Israelites. Tell them,‘ Make sure to present to me my food offerings. Do it at the appointed time. Their smell will please me.’Tell them,‘ Here is the food offering you must present to the Lord. Present to him two lambs a year old. They must not have any flaws. Present them as a regular burnt offering each day.Offer one lamb in the morning. Offer the other when the sun goes down.Present a grain offering along with them. It must have eight cups of the finest flour. Mix it with a quart of oil made from pressed olives.It is the regular burnt offering. The Lord established it at Mount Sinai. It has a pleasant smell. It is a food offering presented to the Lord.Along with that, offer a quart of wine as a drink offering. It must be given along with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the Lord at the sacred tent.Offer the second lamb when the sun goes down. Sacrifice it along with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering that you present in the morning. It is a food offering. Its smell pleases the Lord.“‘ On the Sabbath day, make an offering of two lambs. They must be a year old. They must not have any flaws. Sacrifice them along with their drink offering. Sacrifice them along with a grain offering of 16 cups of the finest flour. Mix it with olive oil.It is the burnt offering for every Sabbath day. It is in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.“‘ On the first day of every month, bring to the Lord a burnt offering. Bring two young bulls and one ram. Also bring seven male lambs a year old. They must not have any flaws.Present a grain offering along with each bull. It must have 24 cups of the finest flour. Mix it with olive oil. Present a grain offering along with the ram. It must have 16 cups of the finest flour. Mix it with oil.Present a grain offering along with each lamb. It must have eight cups of the finest flour. Mix it with oil. It is for a burnt offering. It has a pleasant smell. It is a food offering presented to the Lord.Present a drink offering along with each bull. It must have two quarts of wine. Offer two and a half pints along with the ram. And offer one quart along with each lamb. It is the burnt offering for each month. It must be made on the day of each New Moon feast during the year.One male goat must be sacrificed to the Lord as a sin offering. It is in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.“‘ The Lord’ s Passover Feast must be held on the 14th day of the first month.On the 15th day of the month there must be a feast. For seven days eat bread made without yeast.On the first day come together for a special service. Do not do any regular work.Present to the Lord a food offering. Present a burnt offering of two young bulls and one ram. Also present seven male lambs a year old. They must not have any flaws.Present a grain offering along with each bull. The offering must have 24 cups of the finest flour. Mix it with olive oil. Offer 16 cups along with the ram.Offer eight cups along with each of the seven lambs.Include a male goat as a sin offering. It will pay for your sin.Offer everything in addition to the regular morning burnt offering.Present the food offering every day for seven days. The smell of the offering will please the Lord. You must present the offering in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.On the seventh day come together for a special service. Do not do any regular work.“‘ On the day you gather the first share of your crops, present to the Lord an offering of your first grain. Do it during the Feast of Weeks. Come together for a special service. Do not do any regular work.Sacrifice a burnt offering of two young bulls and one ram. Also sacrifice seven male lambs a year old. The smell of the offering will please the Lord.Present a grain offering along with each bull. It must have 24 cups of the finest flour. Mix it with olive oil. Offer 16 cups along with the ram.Offer eight cups along with each of the seven lambs.

Then Jesus said to them,“ The Sabbath day was made for man. Man was not made for the Sabbath day.So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.”

It doesn’t go into their heart. It goes into their stomach. Then it goes out of the body.” In saying this, Jesus was calling all foods“ clean.”

They deal only with food and drink and different kinds of special washings. They are rules people had to obey only until the new covenant came.

“ Why do you want to go to him today?” he asked.“ It isn’t the time for the New Moon feast. It isn’t the Sabbath day.”“ Don’t let that bother you,” she said.

Celebrate the Passover Feast of the Lord your God in the month of Aviv. In that month he brought you out of Egypt at night.Sacrifice an animal from your flock or herd. It is the Passover sacrifice to honor the Lord your God. Sacrifice it at the special place the Lord will choose. He will put his Name there.Don’t eat the animal along with bread made with yeast. Instead, for seven days eat bread made without yeast. It’s the bread that reminds you of how much you suffered. Remember that you left Egypt in a hurry. Remember it all the days of your life. Don’t forget the day you left Egypt.Don’t keep any yeast anywhere in your land for seven days. You will sacrifice the Passover animal on the evening of the first day. Do not let any of its meat be left over until the next morning.You must not sacrifice the Passover animal in just any town the Lord your God is giving you.Sacrifice it only in the special place he will choose for his Name. Sacrifice it there in the evening when the sun goes down. Do it on the same day every year. Be sure it’s the day you left Egypt.Cook the animal and eat it. Do it at the place the Lord your God will choose. Then in the morning return to your tents.For six days eat bread made without yeast. On the seventh day come together for a service to honor the Lord your God. Don’t do any work on that day.Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to cut your grain in the field.Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to honor the Lord your God. Give to the Lord anything you choose to give as an offering. Give, just as the Lord has given to you.Be filled with joy in the sight of the Lord your God. Be joyful at the special place he will choose for his Name. You, your children, and your male and female servants should be joyful. So should the Levites living in your towns. So should the outsiders and widows living among you. And so should the children whose fathers have died.Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. Be careful to obey the rules I’m giving you.Gather the grain from your threshing floors. Take the fresh wine from your winepresses. Then celebrate the Feast of Booths for seven days.Be filled with joy at your feast. You, your children, and your male and female servants should be joyful. So should the Levites, the outsiders, and the widows living in your towns. And so should the children whose fathers have died.For seven days celebrate the feast to honor the Lord your God. Do it at the place he will choose. The Lord will bless you when you gather all your crops. He’ll bless you in everything you do. And you will be full of joy.All your men must appear in front of the Lord your God at the holy tent. They must go to the place he will choose. They must do it three times a year. They must go there to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths. None of your men should appear in front of the Lord without bringing something with him.Each of you must bring a gift. Give to the Lord your God, just as he has given to you.

The Lord said to Moses,“ Speak to the Israelites. Tell them,‘ Here are my appointed feast days. They are the appointed feast days of the Lord. Tell the people that they must come together for these sacred assemblies.“‘ There are six days when you can work. But the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest. You must rest on it. Come together on that sacred day. You must not do any work on it. No matter where you live, it is a Sabbath day to honor the Lord.“‘ Here are the Lord’ s appointed feasts. Tell the people that they must come together for these sacred gatherings at their appointed times.The Lord’ s Passover begins when the sun goes down on the 14th day of the first month.The Lord’ s Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th day of that month. For seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.On the first day you must come together for a special service. Do not do any regular work on that day.On each of the seven days bring a food offering to the Lord. On the seventh day come together for a special service. Do not do any regular work on that day.’ ”The Lord said to Moses,“ Speak to the Israelites. Tell them,‘ When you enter the land I am going to give you, bring an offering to the Lord. Gather your crops. Bring the first bundle of grain to the priest.He must lift up the grain and wave it in front of the Lord. Then the Lord will accept it from you. The priest must wave it on the day after the Sabbath.On the day he waves the grain for you, you must sacrifice a burnt offering to me. It must be a lamb that does not have any flaws. It must be a year old.You must bring it together with its grain offering. The grain offering must be seven pounds of the finest flour. Mix it with olive oil. It is a food offering presented to the Lord. It has a pleasant smell. You must offer a drink offering along with the burnt offering. It must be a quart of wine.You must not eat any bread until the day you bring your offering to the Lord your God. You must not eat any cooked grain or any of your first grain until that time. This is a law that will last for all time to come. It applies no matter where you live.“‘ The day you brought the grain for the wave offering was the day after the Sabbath. Count off seven full weeks from that day.Count off 50 days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath. On that day bring to the Lord an offering of your first grain.Bring two loaves of bread that are made with seven pounds of the finest flour. They must be baked with yeast. Bring them to me as a wave offering from the first share of your crops. That applies no matter where you live.Together with the bread, bring seven male lambs. Each lamb must be a year old. It must not have any flaws. Also bring one young bull and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the Lord. They will be offered together with their grain offerings and drink offerings. They are food offerings. Their smell pleases the Lord.Then sacrifice one male goat for a sin offering. Also sacrifice two lambs for a friendship offering. Each of the lambs must be a year old.The priest must lift up the two lambs and wave them in front of me as a wave offering. He must offer them together with the bread made out of the first share of your crops. They are a sacred offering to the Lord. They will be given to the priest.On that same day tell the people that they must come together for a special worship service. They must not do any regular work. That is a law that will last for all time to come. It applies no matter where you live.“‘ Suppose you are gathering your crops. Then do not harvest all the way to the edges of your field. And do not pick up the grain you missed. Leave some for the poor people and the outsiders who live among you. I am the Lord your God.’ ”The Lord said to Moses,“ Say to the Israelites,‘ On the first day of the seventh month you must have a day of sabbath rest. It must be a special service announced with trumpet blasts.Do not do any regular work on that day. Instead, bring a food offering to the Lord.’ ”The Lord spoke to Moses. He said,“ The tenth day of the seventh month is the day when sin is paid for. Come together for a special service. Do not eat any food. Bring a food offering to the Lord.Do not do any work on that day. It is the day when sin is paid for. On that day your sin will be paid for in my sight. I am the Lord your God.Suppose you do eat food on that day. Then you will be separated from your people.I will destroy anyone among your people who does any work on that day.You must not do any work at all. This is a law that will last for all time to come. It applies no matter where you live.That day is a day of sabbath rest for you. You must rest on it. You must not eat anything on that day. You must follow the rules of the sabbath rest. Follow them from the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening.”The Lord said to Moses,“ Say to the Israelites,‘ On the 15th day of the seventh month the Lord’ s Feast of Booths begins. It lasts for seven days.On the first day you must come together for a special service. Do not do any regular work on that day.On each of the seven days bring a food offering to the Lord. On the eighth day come together for a special service. Bring a food offering to the Lord. That special service is the closing service. Do not do any regular work on that day.“‘ These are the Lord’ s appointed feasts. Tell the people that they must come together for these sacred assemblies. During those times, the people must bring food offerings to the Lord. They are burnt offerings and grain offerings. They are sacrifices and drink offerings. Each offering must be brought at its required time.The offerings are in addition to those of the days of sabbath rest. The offerings are also in addition to your gifts and anything you have promised. They are also in addition to all the offerings you choose to give to the Lord.“‘ Begin with the 15th day of the seventh month. That is after you have gathered your crops. On that day celebrate the Lord’ s Feast of Booths for seven days. The first day is a day of rest. The eighth day is also a day of rest.On the first day you must get branches from palms, willows and other leafy trees. You must be filled with joy in front of the Lord your God for seven days.Celebrate the Lord’ s Feast of Booths for seven days each year. This is a law that will last for all time to come. Celebrate the feast in the seventh month.Live in booths for seven days. All the Israelites must live in booths.Then your children after you will know that I made the Israelites live in booths. I made them do it after I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’ ”So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed feasts of the Lord.

Blow the ram’s horn on the day of the New Moon feast. Blow it again when the moon is full and the Feast of Booths begins.

But not everyone knows this. Some people still think that statues of gods are real gods. They might eat food sacrificed to statues of gods. When they do, they think of it as food sacrificed to real gods. And because those people have a weak sense of what is right and wrong, they feel guilty.But food doesn’t bring us close to God. We are no worse if we don’t eat. We are no better if we do eat.But be careful how you use your rights. Be sure you don’t cause someone weaker than you to fall into sin.Suppose you, with all your knowledge, are eating in a temple of one of those gods. And suppose someone who has a weak sense of what is right and wrong sees you. Won’t that person become bold and eat what is sacrificed to statues of gods?If so, then your knowledge destroys that weak brother or sister for whom Christ died.Suppose you sin against them in this way. Then you harm their weak sense of what is right and wrong. By doing this, you sin against Christ.So suppose what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin. Then what should I do? I will never eat meat again. In that way, I will not cause them to fall.

That day is a sabbath for you. You must rest on it. You must not eat anything on that day. This is a law that will last for all time to come.

“ Speak to the Israelites. Tell them,‘ Many animals live on land. Here are the only ones you can eat.You can eat any animal that has hooves that are separated completely in two. But it must also chew the cud.“‘ Some animals only chew the cud. Some only have hooves that are separated in two. You must not eat those animals. Camels chew the cud. But their hooves are not separated in two. So they are“ unclean” for you.Rock badgers chew the cud. But their hooves are not separated in two. So they are“ unclean” for you.Rabbits chew the cud. But their hooves are not separated in two. So they are“ unclean” for you.Pigs have hooves that are separated completely in two. But they do not chew the cud. So they are“ unclean” for you.You must not eat the meat of those animals. You must not even touch their dead bodies. They are“ unclean” for you.“‘ Many creatures live in the water of the oceans and streams. You can eat all those that have fins and scales.Treat as“ unclean” all the creatures in the oceans or streams that do not have fins and scales. That includes all those that move together in groups and all those that do not.Treat them as“ unclean.” Do not eat their meat. Treat their dead bodies as“ unclean.”Regard as“ unclean” everything that lives in the water that does not have fins and scales.“‘ Here are the birds you must treat as“ unclean.” Do not eat them because they are“ unclean.” The birds include eagles, vultures and black vultures.They include red kites and all kinds of black kites.They include all kinds of ravens.They include horned owls, screech owls, gulls and all kinds of hawks.They include little owls, cormorants and great owls.They include white owls, desert owls and ospreys.They also include storks, hoopoes, bats and all kinds of herons.“‘ Treat as“ unclean” every flying insect that walks on all fours.But you can eat some flying insects that walk on all fours. Their legs have joints so they can hop on the ground.Here are the insects you can eat. You can eat all kinds of locusts, katydids, crickets and grasshoppers.Treat as“ unclean” every other creature with wings and four legs.“‘ You will make yourselves“ unclean” if you eat these things. If you touch their dead bodies, you will be“ unclean” until evening.If a person picks up one of their dead bodies, that person must wash their clothes. They will be“ unclean” until evening.“‘ Suppose an animal has hooves that are not separated completely in two. Or suppose an animal does not chew the cud. Then these animals are“ unclean” for you. If you touch the dead body of any of them, you will be“ unclean.”Many animals walk on all fours. But those that walk on their paws are“ unclean” for you. Anyone who touches their dead bodies will be“ unclean” until evening.If a person picks up their dead bodies, that person must wash their clothes. They will be“ unclean” until evening. These animals are“ unclean” for you.“‘ Many animals move along the ground. Here are the ones that are“ unclean” for you. They include weasels, rats and all kinds of large lizards.They also include geckos, monitor lizards, wall lizards, skinks and chameleons.These are the animals that move around on the ground that are“ unclean” for you. If you touch their dead bodies, you will be“ unclean” until evening.Suppose one of them dies and falls on something. Then that thing will be“ unclean.” It does not matter what it is used for. It does not matter whether it is made out of wood, cloth, hide or rough cloth. Put it in water. It will be“ unclean” until evening. After that, it will be“ clean.”Suppose one of these animals falls into a clay pot. Then everything in the pot will be“ unclean.” You must break the pot.Any food that could be eaten but has water on it that came from that pot is“ unclean.” And any liquid that could be drunk from it is“ unclean.”Anything that the dead body of one of these animals falls on becomes“ unclean.” If it is an oven or cooking pot, break it. It is“ unclean.” And you must consider it“ unclean.”But a spring or a well for collecting water remains“ clean.” That is true even if the dead body of one of these animals falls into it. But anyone who touches the dead body is not“ clean.”If the dead body falls on any seeds that have not been planted yet, the seeds remain“ clean.”But suppose water has already been put on the seeds. And suppose the dead body falls on them. Then they are“ unclean” for you.“‘ Suppose an animal you are allowed to eat dies. If anyone touches its dead body, they will be“ unclean” until evening.If they eat part of the dead body, they must wash their clothes. They will be“ unclean” until evening. If they pick up the dead body, they must wash their clothes. They will be“ unclean” until evening.“‘ Treat as“ unclean” every creature that moves along the ground. Do not eat it.Do not eat any of these creatures. It does not matter whether they move on their bellies. It does not matter whether they walk on all fours or on many feet. It is“ unclean.”Do not make yourselves“ unclean” by eating any of these animals. Do not make yourselves“ unclean” because of them. Do not let them make you“ unclean.”I am the Lord your God. Set yourselves apart. Be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves“ unclean” by eating any creatures that move around on the ground.I am the Lord. I brought you up out of Egypt to be your God. So be holy, because I am holy.“‘ These are the rules about animals and birds. These are the rules about every living thing that moves around in the water. And these are the rules about every creature that moves along the ground.You must be able to tell the difference between what is“ clean” and what is not. You must also be able to tell the difference between living creatures that can be eaten and those that can’t.’ ”

“‘ Suppose someone eats meat that still has blood in it. It does not matter whether they are an Israelite or an outsider. I will turn against them if they eat it. I will separate them from their people.The life of each creature is in its blood. So I have given you the blood of animals to pay for your sin on the altar. Blood is life. That is why blood pays for your sin.So I say to the Israelites,“ You must not eat meat that still has blood in it. And an outsider who lives among you must not eat it either.”“‘ Suppose any of you hunts any animal or bird that can be eaten. It does not matter whether you are an Israelite or an outsider. You must let the blood flow out of the animal or bird. You must cover the blood with dirt.That is because every creature’s life is its blood. And that is why I have said to the Israelites,“ You must not eat any creature’s meat that still has blood in it. Every creature’s life is its blood. Anyone who eats that kind of meat must be separated from the community of Israel.”“‘ Suppose someone eats anything found dead or torn apart by wild animals. It does not matter whether they are an Israelite or an outsider. They must wash their clothes. They must take a bath. They will be“ unclean” until evening. After that, they will be“ clean.”

Stop bringing offerings that do not mean anything to me! I hate your incense. I can’t stand your worthless gatherings. I can’t stand the way you celebrate your New Moon feasts, Sabbath days and special services.

So David said,“ Tomorrow is the time for the New Moon feast. I’m supposed to eat with the king. But let me go and hide in the field. I’ll stay there until the evening of the day after tomorrow.

You say,“ When will the New Moon feast be over? Then we can sell our grain. When will the Sabbath day come to an end? Then people can buy our wheat.” But you measure out less than the right amount. You raise your prices. You cheat others by using dishonest scales.

Then I said,“ No, Lord and King! I won’t do this! I’ve never eaten anything‘ unclean.’ From the time I was young until now, I’ve never eaten anything that was found dead. And I’ve never eaten anything torn apart by wild animals.‘ Unclean’ meat has never entered my mouth.”

They said,“ You went into the house of Gentiles. You ate with them.”Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story.“ I was in the city of Joppa praying,” he said.“ There I had a vision. I saw something that looked like a large sheet. It was being let down from heaven by its four corners. It came down to where I was.I looked into it and saw four- footed animals of the earth. There were also wild animals, reptiles and birds.Then I heard a voice speaking to me.‘ Get up, Peter,’ the voice said.‘ Kill and eat.’“ I replied,‘ No, Lord! I will not! Nothing that is not pure and“ clean” has ever entered my mouth.’“ A second time the voice spoke from heaven. The voice said,‘ Do not say anything is not pure that God has made“ clean.” ’This happened three times. Then the sheet was pulled up into heaven.“ Just then three men stopped at the house where I was staying. They had been sent to me from Caesarea.The Holy Spirit told me not to let anything keep me from going with them. These six brothers here went with me. We entered the man’s house.He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house. The angel said,‘ Send to Joppa for Simon Peter.He has a message to bring to you. You and your whole family will be saved through it.’“ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them. He came just as he had come on us at the beginning.Then I remembered the Lord’s words.‘ John baptized with water,’ he had said.‘ But you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’God gave them the same gift he gave those of us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”When they heard this, they didn’t object anymore. They praised God. They said,“ So then, God has allowed even Gentiles to turn away from their sins. He did this so that they could live.”

“ The people around us will bring goods and grain to sell on the Sabbath day. But we won’t buy anything from them on the Sabbath day. In fact, we won’t buy anything from them on any holy day. Every seventh year we won’t farm the land. And we’ll forgive people what they owe us.

Then Jonathan said to David,“ Tomorrow is the time for the New Moon feast. You will be missed, because your seat at the table will be empty.

Here is what we should write to them. They must not eat food that has been made impure by being offered to statues of gods. They must not commit sexual sins. They must not eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And they must not drink blood.

When I remember what has happened, I tell God all my troubles. I remember how I used to walk to the house of God. The Mighty One guarded my steps. We shouted with joy and praised God as we went along with the joyful crowd.

The Lord and King says,“ On the six working days of each week you must keep the east gate of the inner courtyard of the temple shut. But open it on Sabbath days and during New Moon feasts.The prince must enter the temple area through the porch of the gateway. He must stand by the gatepost. The priests must sacrifice his burnt offering and friendship offerings. He must bow down in worship at the entrance of the gateway. Then he must leave. But the gate will not be shut until evening.On Sabbath days and during New Moon feasts the people of the land must gather together. They must gather at the entrance of the temple gateway. That is where they must worship me.

Don’t eat anything the Lord hates.Here are the only animals you can eat. You can eat oxen, sheep, goats,deer, gazelles, roe deer, wild goats, ibexes, antelope and mountain sheep.You can eat any animal that has a divided hoof. But it must also chew the cud.Some animals only chew the cud. Others only have a divided hoof. The camel, rabbit and rock badger chew the cud, but they don’t have a divided hoof. So you can’t eat them. They are not“ clean” for you.Pigs aren’t“ clean” for you either. They have a divided hoof, but they don’t chew the cud. So don’t eat their meat. And don’t touch their dead bodies.Many creatures live in water. You can eat all the ones that have fins and scales.But don’t eat anything that doesn’t have fins and scales. It isn’t“ clean” for you.You can eat any“ clean” bird.But there are many birds you can’t eat. They include eagles, vultures, and black vultures.They include red kites, black kites and all kinds of falcons.They include all kinds of ravens.They include horned owls, screech owls, gulls and all kinds of hawks.They include little owls, great owls, white owlsand desert owls. They include ospreys and cormorants.They include storks and all kinds of herons. They also include hoopoes and bats.All flying insects are“ unclean” for you. So don’t eat them.But you can eat any creature that has wings and is“ clean.”If you find something that’s already dead, don’t eat it. You can give it to an outsider living in any of your towns. They may eat it. Or you can sell it to someone from another country. But you are a holy nation. The Lord your God has set you apart for himself. Don’t cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

You must also blow the trumpets when you are happy. Blow them at your appointed feasts. Blow them at your New Moon feasts. Blow them when you sacrifice your burnt offerings. Blow them when you sacrifice your friendship offerings. They will remind me of you. I am the Lord your God.”

Nehemiah was the governor. Ezra was a priest and the teacher of the Law. They spoke up. So did the Levites who were teaching the people. All these men said to the people,“ This day is set apart to honor the Lord your God. So don’t weep. Don’t be sad.” All the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.