Day 31 - Mark 3 and II Corinthians 1-2

Mark 3

3:1 He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered.

 

3:2 They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.

 

3:3 He said to the man who had his hand withered, "Stand up."

 

3:4 He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?" But they were silent.

 

3:5 When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.

 

3:6 The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

 

3:7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,

 

3:8 from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him.

 

3:9 He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn't press on him.

 

3:10 For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him.

 

3:11 The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, "You are the Son of God!"

 

3:12 He sternly warned them that they should not make him known.

 

3:13 He went up into the mountain, and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him.

 

3:14 He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach,

 

3:15 and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:

 

3:16 Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter;

 

3:17 James the son of Zebedee; John, the brother of James, and he surnamed them Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder;

 

3:18 Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;

 

3:19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. He came into a house.

 

3:20 The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

 

3:21 When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him: for they said, "He is insane."

 

3:22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul," and, "By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons."

 

3:23 He summoned them, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?

 

3:24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

 

3:25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

 

3:26 If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can't stand, but has an end.

 

3:27 But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.

 

3:28 Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme;

 

3:29 but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"

 

3:30 --because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."

 

3:31 His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.

 

3:32 A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, "Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside looking for you."

 

3:33 He answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"

 

3:34 Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, "Behold, my mother and my brothers!

 

3:35 For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

 

II Corinthians 1

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

 

1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;

 

1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

 

1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.

 

1:6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.

 

1:7 Our hope for you is stedfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so also are you of the comfort.

 

1:8 For we don't desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life.

 

1:9 Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,

 

1:10 who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;

 

1:11 you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed on us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.

 

1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

 

1:13 For we write no other things to you, than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end;

 

1:14 as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

 

1:15 In this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit;

 

1:16 and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent forward by you on my journey to Judea.

 

1:17 When I therefore was thus determined, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the "Yes, yes" and the "No, no?"

 

1:18 But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not "Yes and no."

 

1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not "Yes and no," but in him is "Yes."

 

1:20 For however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes." Therefore also through him is the "Amen," to the glory of God through us.

 

1:21 Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;

 

1:22 who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.

 

1:23 But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn't come to Corinth to spare you.

 

1:24 Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.

 

II Corinthians 2

2:1 But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.

 

2:2 For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me?

 

2:3 And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn't have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.

 

2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.

 

2:5 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part that I not press too heavily to you all.

 

2:6 Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many;

 

2:7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.

 

2:8 Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.

 

2:9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.

 

2:10 Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

 

2:11 that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

 

2:12 Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,

 

2:13 I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn't find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.

 

2:14 Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.

 

2:15 For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish;

 

2:16 to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

2:17 For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

Day 32 - Mark 4 and II Corinthians 3-4

Mark 4

4:1 Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea, and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea.

 

4:2 He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching,

 

4:3 "Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow,

 

4:4 and it happened, as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds  came and devoured it.

 

4:5 Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil.

 

4:6 When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

 

4:7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

 

4:8 Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some brought forth thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much."

 

4:9 He said, "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."

 

4:10 When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

 

4:11 He said to them, "To you is given the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,

 

4:12 that 'seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.'

 

4:13 He said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables?

 

4:14 The farmer sows the word.

 

4:15 The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

 

4:16 These in like manner are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.

 

4:17 They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.

 

4:18 Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word,

 

4:19 and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

 

4:20 Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times."

 

4:21 He said to them, "Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it put on a stand?

 

4:22 For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light.

 

4:23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear."

 

4:24 He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear.

 

4:25 For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away from him."

 

4:26 He said, "The Kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed on the earth,

 

4:27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he doesn't know how.

 

4:28 For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

 

4:29 But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts forth the sickle, because the harvest has come."

 

4:30 He said, "How will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?

 

4:31 It's like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth,

 

4:32 yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow."

 

4:33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

 

4:34 Without a parable he didn't speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

 

4:35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let's go over to the other side."

 

4:36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him.

 

4:37 A big windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.

 

4:38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, "Teacher, don't you care that we are dying?"

 

4:39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

 

4:40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?"

 

4:41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

 

II Corinthians 3

3:1 Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?

 

3:2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

 

3:3 being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.

 

3:4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God;

 

3:5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;

 

3:6 who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

 

3:7 But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away:

 

3:8 won't service of the Spirit be with much more glory?

 

3:9 For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

 

3:10 For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.

 

3:11 For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

 

3:12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,

 

3:13 and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn't look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.

 

3:14 But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away.

 

3:15 But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.

 

3:16 But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

 

3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

 

3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

 

II Corinthians 4

4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don't faint.

 

4:2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

 

4:3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;

 

4:4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.

 

4:5 For we don't preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake;

 

4:6 seeing it is God who said, "Light will shine out of darkness,”  who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

4:7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.

 

4:8 We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;

 

4:9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;

 

4:10 always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

 

4:11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.

 

4:12 So then death works in us, but life in you.

 

4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, "I believed, and therefore I spoke." We also believe, and therefore also we speak;

 

4:14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.

 

4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

 

4:16 Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

 

4:17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;

4:18 while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Day 33 - Mark 5 and II Corinthians 5-6

Mark

5:1 They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

 

5:2 When he had come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit met him out of the tombs.

 

5:3 He lived in the tombs. Nobody could bind him anymore, not even with chains,

 

5:4 because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces. Nobody had the strength to tame him.

 

5:5 Always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones.

 

5:6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him,

 

5:7 and crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don't torment me."

 

5:8 For he said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"

 

5:9 He asked him, "What is your name?" He said to him, "My name is Legion, for we are many."

 

5:10 He begged him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

 

5:11 Now on the mountainside there was a great herd of pigs feeding.

 

5:12 All the demons begged him, saying, "Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them."

 

5:13 At once Jesus gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out and entered into the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea.

 

5:14 Those who fed them fled, and told it in the city and in the country. The people came to see what it was that had happened.

 

5:15 They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid.

 

5:16 Those who saw it declared to them how it happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs.

 

5:17 They began to beg him to depart from their region.

 

5:18 As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him.

 

5:19 He didn't allow him, but said to him, "Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you."

 

5:20 He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled.

 

5:21 When Jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea.

 

5:22 Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet,

 

5:23 and begged him much, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live."

 

5:24 He went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides.

 

5:25 A certain woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years,

 

5:26 and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse,

 

5:27 having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes.

 

5:28 For she said, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well."

 

5:29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

 

5:30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

 

5:31 His disciples said to him, "You see the multitude pressing against you, and you say, 'Who touched me?'"

 

5:32 He looked around to see her who had done this thing.

 

5:33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

 

5:34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease."

 

5:35 While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler's house saying, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?"

 

5:36 But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Don't be afraid, only believe."

 

5:37 He allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.

 

5:38 He came to the synagogue ruler's house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing.

 

5:39 When he had entered in, he said to them, "Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep."

 

5:40 They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying.

 

5:41 Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, "Talitha cumi!" which means, being interpreted, "Girl, I tell you, get up!"

 

5:42 Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement.

 

5:43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat.

II Corinthians 5

5:1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

 

5:2 For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven;

 

5:3 if so be that being clothed we will not be found naked.

 

5:4 For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

 

5:5 Now he who made us for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the down payment of the Spirit.

 

5:6 Therefore, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;

 

5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

 

5:8 We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

 

5:9 Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.

 

5:10 For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

 

5:11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God; and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

 

5:12 For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.

 

5:13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.

 

5:14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.

 

5:15 He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

 

5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

 

5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

 

5:18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;

 

5:19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

 

5:20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

 

5:21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

II Corinthians 6

6:1 Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,

 

6:2 for he says, "At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

 

6:3 We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,

 

6:4 but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

 

6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

 

6:6 in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,

 

6:7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

 

6:8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;

 

6:9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;

 

6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

 

6:11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged.

 

6:12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.

 

6:13 Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.

 

6:14 Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

 

6:15 What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?

 

6:16 What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

 

6:17 Therefore, "'Come out from among them, and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.

6:18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty."

Day 34 - Mark 6 and II Corinthians 7-8

Mark 6

6:1 He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him.

 

6:2 When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things?" and, "What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?

 

6:3 Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" They were offended at him.

 

6:4 Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house."

 

6:5 He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them.

 

6:6 He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.

 

6:7 He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

 

6:8 He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse,

 

6:9 but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics.

 

6:10 He said to them, "Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there.

 

6:11 Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"

 

6:12 They went out and preached that people should repent.

 

6:13 They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick, and healed them.

 

6:14 King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, "John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."

 

6:15 But others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets."

 

6:16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, "This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead."

 

6:17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her.

 

6:18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

 

6:19 Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn't,

 

6:20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

 

6:21 Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.

 

6:22 When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."

 

6:23 He swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."

 

6:24 She went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" She said, "The head of John the Baptizer."

 

6:25 She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter."

 

6:26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn't wish to refuse her.

 

6:27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John's head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

 

6:28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.

 

6:29 When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

 

6:30 The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught.

 

6:31 He said to them, "You come apart into a deserted place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

 

6:32 They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.

 

6:33 They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him.

 

6:34 Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

 

6:35 When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him, and said, "This place is deserted, and it is late in the day.

 

6:36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat."

 

6:37 But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They asked him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii  worth of bread, and give them something to eat?"

 

6:38 He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go see." When they knew, they said, "Five, and two fish."

 

6:39 He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass.

 

6:40 They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.

 

6:41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all.

 

6:42 They all ate, and were filled.

 

6:43 They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish.

 

6:44 Those who ate the loaves were  five thousand men.

 

6:45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.

 

6:46 After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray.

 

6:47 When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land.

 

6:48 Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them,

 

6:49 but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;

 

6:50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I AM!  Don't be afraid."

 

6:51 He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;

 

6:52 for they hadn't understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

 

6:53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.

 

6:54 When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him,

 

6:55 and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was.

 

6:56 Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the fringe  of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.

 

II Corinthians 7

7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

7:2 Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.

 

7:3 I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.

 

7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.

 

7:5 For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.

 

7:6 Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 

7:7 and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.

 

7:8 For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.

 

7:9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.

 

7:10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.

 

7:11 For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.

 

7:12 So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.

 

7:13 Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

 

7:14 For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.

 

7:15 His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.

 

7:16 I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.

 

II Corinthians 8

8:1 Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;

 

8:2 how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.

 

8:3 For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,

 

8:4 begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

 

8:5 This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.

 

8:6 So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.

 

8:7 But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.

 

8:8 I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

 

8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

 

8:10 I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.

 

8:11 But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.

 

8:12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don't have.

 

8:13 For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed,

 

8:14 but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality.

 

8:15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

 

8:16 But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

 

8:17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.

 

8:18 We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known through all the assemblies.

 

8:19 Not only so, but who was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.

 

8:20 We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.

 

8:21 Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

 

8:22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.

 

8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.

8:24 Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.

Day 35 - Mark 7 and II Corinthians 9-10

Mark 7

7:1 Then the Pharisees, and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem.

 

7:2 Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands, they found fault.

 

7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, don't eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders.

 

7:4 They don't eat when they come from the marketplace, unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.

 

7:5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?"

 

7:6 He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

 

7:7 But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

 

7:8 "For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things."

 

7:9 He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

 

7:10 For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother;' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'

 

7:11 But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God;"'

 

7:12 then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother,

 

7:13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this."

 

7:14 He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand.

 

7:15 There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.

 

7:16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"

 

7:17 When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.

 

7:18 He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Don't you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him,

 

7:19 because it doesn't go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus making all foods clean?"

 

7:20 He said, "That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.

 

7:21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,

 

7:22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.

 

7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

 

7:24 From there he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house, and didn't want anyone to know it, but he couldn't escape notice.

 

7:25 For a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet.

 

7:26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter.

 

7:27 But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

 

7:28 But she answered him, "Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."

 

7:29 He said to her, "For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter."

 

7:30 She went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out.

 

7:31 Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the region of Decapolis.

 

7:32 They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him.

 

7:33 He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue.

 

7:34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!"

 

7:35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly.

 

7:36 He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it.

 

7:37 They were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!"

 

II Corinthians 9

9:1 It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

 

9:2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.

 

9:3 But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,

 

9:4 so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.

 

9:5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.

 

9:6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

 

9:7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

 

9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

 

9:9 As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever."

 

9:10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;

 

9:11 you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.

 

9:12 For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;

 

9:13 seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;

 

9:14 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.

 

9:15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

 

II Corinthians 10

10:1 Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you.

 

10:2 Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.

 

10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh;

 

10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,

 

10:5 throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;

 

10:6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.

 

10:7 Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, so also we are Christ's.

 

10:8 For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,

 

10:9 that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.

 

10:10 For, "His letters," they say, "are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised."

 

10:11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.

 

10:12 For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.

 

10:13 But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.

 

10:14 For we don't stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn't reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,

 

10:15 not boasting beyond proper limits in other men's labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,

 

10:16 so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.

 

10:17 But "he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."

10:18 For it isn't he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Day 36 - Mark 8 and II Corinthians 11-12

Mark 8

8:1 In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself, and said to them,

 

8:2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.

 

8:3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way."

 

8:4 His disciples answered him, "From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?"

 

8:5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven."

 

8:6 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude.

 

8:7 They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.

 

8:8 They ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

 

8:9 Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.

 

8:10 Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the region of Dalmanutha.

 

8:11 The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, and testing him.

 

8:12 He sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation."

 

8:13 He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side.

 

8:14 They forgot to take bread; and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them.

 

8:15 He warned them, saying, "Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod."

 

8:16 They reasoned with one another, saying, "It's because we have no bread."

 

8:17 Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, "Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Don't you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened?

 

8:18 Having eyes, don't you see? Having ears, don't you hear? Don't you remember?

 

8:19 When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Twelve."

 

8:20 "When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Seven."

 

8:21 He asked them, "Don't you understand, yet?"

 

8:22 He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.

 

8:23 He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.

 

8:24 He looked up, and said, "I see men; for I see them like trees walking."

 

8:25 Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly.

 

8:26 He sent him away to his house, saying, "Don't enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village."

 

8:27 Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?"

 

8:28 They told him, "John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets."

 

8:29 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

 

8:30 He commanded them that they should tell no one about him.

 

8:31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

 

8:32 He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

 

8:33 But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men."

 

8:34 He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 

8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.

 

8:36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?

 

8:37 For what will a man give in exchange for his life?

 

8:38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

 

II Corinthians 11

11:1 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me.

 

11:2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

 

11:3 But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

 

11:4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different "good news", which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough.

 

11:5 For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.

 

11:6 But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things.

 

11:7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God's Good News free of charge?

 

11:8 I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you.

 

11:9 When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn't a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.

 

11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

 

11:11 Why? Because I don't love you? God knows.

 

11:12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.

 

11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles.

 

11:14 And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.

 

11:15 It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

 

11:16 I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.

 

11:17 That which I speak, I don't speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.

 

11:18 Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.

 

11:19 For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.

 

11:20 For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face.

 

11:21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.

 

11:22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.

 

11:23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.

 

11:24 Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one.

 

11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.

 

11:26 I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers;

 

11:27 in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.

 

11:28 Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.

 

11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don't burn with indignation?

 

11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.

 

11:31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forevermore, knows that I don't lie.

 

11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes desiring to arrest me.

 

11:33 Through a window I was let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

 

II Corinthians 12

12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

 

12:2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows, such a one caught up into the third heaven.

 

12:3 I know such a man whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows,

 

12:4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

 

12:5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

 

12:6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.

 

12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.

 

12:8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

 

12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

 

12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

12:11 I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

 

12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.

 

12:13 For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

 

12:14 Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

 

12:15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

 

12:16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.

 

12:17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you?

 

12:18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps?

 

12:19 Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

 

12:20 For I am afraid that by any means when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;

12:21 that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.

Day 37 - Mark 9 and II Corinthians 13

Mark 9

9:1 He said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come with power."

 

9:2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them.

 

9:3 His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

 

9:4 Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus.

 

9:5 Peter answered Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

 

9:6 For he didn't know what to say, for they were very afraid.

 

9:7 A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."

 

9:8 Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only.

 

9:9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

 

9:10 They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the "rising from the dead" meant.

 

9:11 They asked him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

 

9:12 He said to them, "Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised?

 

9:13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him."

 

9:14 Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them.

 

9:15 Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him greeted him.

 

9:16 He asked the scribes, "What are you asking them?"

 

9:17 One of the multitude answered, "Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;

 

9:18 and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren't able."

 

9:19 He answered him, "Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me."

 

9:20 They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.

 

9:21 He asked his father, "How long has it been since this has come to him?" He said, "From childhood.

 

9:22 Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us."

 

9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

 

9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, "I believe. Help my unbelief!"

 

9:25 When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!"

 

9:26 Having cried out, and convulsed greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, "He is dead."

 

9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.

 

9:28 When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we cast it out?"

 

9:29 He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting."

 

9:30 They went out from there, and passed through Galilee. He didn't want anyone to know it.

 

9:31 For he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, "The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again."

 

9:32 But they didn't understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

 

9:33 He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?"

 

9:34 But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest.

 

9:35 He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all."

 

9:36 He took a little child, and set him in the midst of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,

 

9:37 "Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn't receive me, but him who sent me."

 

9:38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone who doesn't follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn't follow us."

 

9:39 But Jesus said, "Don't forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.

 

9:40 For whoever is not against us is on our side.

 

9:41 For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ's, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.

 

9:42 Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he was thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck.

 

9:43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into hell,  into the unquenchable fire,

 

9:44 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.'

 

9:45 If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that will never be quenched--

 

9:46 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.'

 

9:47 If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire,

 

9:48 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.'

 

9:49 For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.

 

9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

 

II Corinthians 13

13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. "At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

 

13:2 I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;

 

13:3 seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.

 

13:4 For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.

 

13:5 Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don't you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.

 

13:6 But I hope that you will know that we aren't disqualified.

 

13:7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.

 

13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

 

13:9 For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

 

13:10 For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.

 

13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

 

13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

 

13:13 All the saints greet you.

13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

Day 38 - Mark 10 and Galatians 1-2

Mark 10

10:1 He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to him again. As he usually did, he was again teaching them.

 

10:2 Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

 

10:3 He answered, "What did Moses command you?"

 

10:4 They said, "Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her."

 

10:5 But Jesus said to them, "For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment.

 

10:6 But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.

 

10:7 For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,

 

10:8 and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.

 

10:9 What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

 

10:10 In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter.

 

10:11 He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her.

 

10:12 If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery."

 

10:13 They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.

 

10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, "Allow the little children to come to me! Don't forbid them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

 

10:15 Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it."

 

10:16 He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

 

10:17 As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

 

10:18 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except one--God.

 

10:19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder,' 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not give false testimony,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and mother.'

 

10:20 He said to him, "Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth."

 

10:21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross."

 

10:22 But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.

 

10:23 Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!"

 

10:24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, "Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!

 

10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."

 

10:26 They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, "Then who can be saved?"

 

10:27 Jesus, looking at them, said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God."

 

10:28 Peter began to tell him, "Behold, we have left all, and have followed you."

 

10:29 Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News,

 

10:30 but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.

 

10:31 But many who are first will be last; and the last first."

 

10:32 They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.

 

10:33 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles.

 

10:34 They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."

 

10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask."

 

10:36 He said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?"

 

10:37 They said to him, "Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory."

 

10:38 But Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

 

10:39 They said to him, "We are able." Jesus said to them, "You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;

 

10:40 but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared."

 

10:41 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John.

 

10:42 Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

 

10:43 But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.

 

10:44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.

 

10:45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

 

10:46 They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

 

10:47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!"

 

10:48 Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, "You son of David, have mercy on me!"

 

10:49 Jesus stood still, and said, "Call him." They called the blind man, saying to him, "Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!"

 

10:50 He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

 

10:51 Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "Rabboni,  that I may see again."

 

10:52 Jesus said to him, "Go your way. Your faith has made you well." Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

 

Galatians 1

1:1 Paul, an apostle not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,

 

1:2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:

 

1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

1:4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father--

 

1:5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

1:6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news";

 

1:7 and there isn't another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.

 

1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.

 

1:9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

 

1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ.

 

1:11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.

 

1:12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

1:13 For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.

 

1:14 I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

 

1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace,

 

1:16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood,

 

1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.

 

1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.

 

1:19 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's brother.

 

1:20 Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I'm not lying.

 

1:21 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

 

1:22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,

 

1:23 but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy."

 

1:24 And they glorified God in me.

 

Galatians 2

2:1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

 

2:2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

 

2:3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

 

2:4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;

 

2:5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.

 

2:6 But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man)--they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,

 

2:7 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision

 

2:8 for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles;

 

2:9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

 

2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor--which very thing I was also zealous to do.

 

2:11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.

 

2:12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

 

2:13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

 

2:14 But when I saw that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?

 

2:15 "We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,

 

2:16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

 

2:17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!

 

2:18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.

 

2:19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.

 

2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

2:21 I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"

Day 39 - Mark 11 and Galatians 3-4

Mark 11

11:1 When they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

 

11:2 and said to them, "Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and bring him.

 

11:3 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord needs him;' and immediately he will send him back here."

 

11:4 They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him.

 

11:5 Some of those who stood there asked them, "What are you doing, untying the young donkey?"

 

11:6 They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go.

 

11:7 They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it.

 

11:8 Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road.

 

11:9 Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

 

11:10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

 

11:11 Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

 

11:12 The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he was hungry.

 

11:13 Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

 

11:14 Jesus told it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" and his disciples heard it.

 

11:15 They came to Jerusalem, and Jesus entered into the temple, and began to throw out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those who sold the doves.

 

11:16 He would not allow anyone to carry a container through the temple.

 

11:17 He taught, saying to them, "Isn't it written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?'  But you have made it a den of robbers!"

 

11:18 The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.

 

11:19 When evening came, he went out of the city.

 

11:20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

 

11:21 Peter, remembering, said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away."

 

11:22 Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.

 

11:23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and doesnt doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.

 

11:24 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.

 

11:25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.

 

11:26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions."

 

11:27 They came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders came to him,

 

11:28 and they began saying to him, "By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?"

 

11:29 Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

 

11:30 The baptism of John--was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me."

 

11:31 They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we should say, 'From heaven;' he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

 

11:32 If we should say, 'From men'"--they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.

 

11:33 They answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."

 

Galatians 3

3:1 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified?

 

3:2 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

 

3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?

 

3:4 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain?

 

3:5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

 

3:6 Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness."

 

3:7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham.

 

3:8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed."

 

3:9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

 

3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them."

 

3:11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, "The righteous will live by faith."

 

3:12 The law is not of faith, but, "The man who does them will live by them."

 

3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,"

 

3:14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

3:15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.

 

3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ.

 

3:17 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.

 

3:18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

 

3:19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.

 

3:20 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.

 

3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.

 

3:22 But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

 

3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

 

3:24 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

 

3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

 

3:26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

 

3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 

3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

3:29 If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise.

 

Galatians 4

4:1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;

 

4:2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.

 

4:3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.

 

4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,

 

4:5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.

 

4:6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba,  Father!"

 

4:7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

 

4:8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.

 

4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?

 

4:10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years.

 

4:11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.

 

4:12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,

 

4:13 but you know that because of weakness of the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.

 

4:14 That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

 

4:15 What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

 

4:16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

 

4:17 They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.

 

4:18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.

 

4:19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you--

 

4:20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

 

4:21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don't you listen to the law?

 

4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman.

 

4:23 However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.

 

4:24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.

 

4:25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.

 

4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

 

4:27 For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who don't bear. Break forth and shout, you that don't travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband."

 

4:28 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

 

4:29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

 

4:30 However what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman."

4:31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.

Day 40 - Mark 12 and Galatians 5-6

Mark 12

12:1 He began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.

 

12:2 When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

 

12:3 They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.

 

12:4 Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.

 

12:5 Again he sent another; and they killed him; and many others, beating some, and killing some.

 

12:6 Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

 

12:7 But those farmers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'

 

12:8 They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

 

12:9 What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.

 

12:10 Haven't you even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner.

 

12:11 This was from the Lord, it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

 

12:12 They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away.

 

12:13 They sent some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words.

 

12:14 When they had come, they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don't defer to anyone; for you aren't partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

 

12:15 Shall we give, or shall we not give?" But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it."

 

12:16 They brought it. He said to them, "Whose is this image and inscription?" They said to him, "Caesar's."

 

12:17 Jesus answered them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." They marveled greatly at him.

 

12:18 There came to him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection. They asked him, saying,

 

12:19 "Teacher, Moses wrote to us, 'If a man's brother dies, and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up offspring for his brother.'

 

12:20 There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

 

12:21 The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;

 

12:22 and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.

 

12:23 In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as a wife."

 

12:24 Jesus answered them, "Isn't this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God?

 

12:25 For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

 

12:26 But about the dead, that they are raised; haven't you read in the book of Moses, about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?

 

12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken."

 

12:28 One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the greatest of all?"

 

12:29 Jesus answered, "The greatest is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one:

 

12:30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.'  This is the first commandment.

 

12:31 The second is like this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  There is no other commandment greater than these."

 

12:32 The scribe said to him, "Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he,

 

12:33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

 

12:34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." No one dared ask him any question after that.

 

12:35 Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?

 

12:36 For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet."

 

12:37 Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?" The common people heard him gladly.

 

12:38 In his teaching he said to them, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,

 

12:39 and the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts:

 

12:40 those who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."

 

12:41 Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.

 

12:42 A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins-

 

12:43 He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,

 

12:44 for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on."

 

Galatians 5

5:1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

 

5:2 Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.

 

5:3 Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

 

5:4 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.

 

5:5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.

 

5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

 

5:7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?

 

5:8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.

 

5:9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump.

 

5:10 I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

 

5:11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.

 

5:12 I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.

 

5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

 

5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

 

5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don't consume one another.

 

5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh.

 

5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.

 

5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

 

5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,

 

5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,

 

5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

 

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

 

5:23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

 

5:24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

 

5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit.

 

5:26 Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

 

Galatians 6

6:1 Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted.

 

6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

 

6:3 For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

 

6:4 But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor.

 

6:5 For each man will bear his own burden.

 

6:6 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.

 

6:7 Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

 

6:8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

 

6:9 Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.

 

6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

 

6:11 See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand.

 

6:12 As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

 

6:13 For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.

 

6:14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

 

6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

 

6:16 As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God's Israel.

 

6:17 From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.

6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Day 41 - Mark 13 and Ephesians 1-2

Mark 13

13:1 As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!"

 

13:2 Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down."

 

13:3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,

 

13:4 "Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?"

 

13:5 Jesus, answering, began to tell them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray.

 

13:6 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he' and will lead many astray.

 

13:7 "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don't be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet.

 

13:8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.

 

13:9 But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.

 

13:10 The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.

 

13:11 When they lead you away and deliver you up, don't be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

 

13:12 "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

 

13:13 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.

 

13:14 But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not - let the reader understand, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,

 

13:15 and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house.

 

13:16 Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak.

 

13:17 But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days!

 

13:18 Pray that your flight won't be in the winter.

 

13:19 For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be.

 

13:20 Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.

 

13:21 Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there!' don't believe it.

 

13:22 For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

 

13:23 But you watch. "Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

 

13:24 But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,

 

13:25 the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.

 

13:26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

 

13:27 Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.

 

13:28 "Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer is near;

 

13:29 even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.

 

13:30 Most certainly I say to you, this generation  will not pass away until all these things happen.

 

13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

13:32 But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

 

13:33 Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don't know when the time is.

 

13:34 "It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch.

 

13:35 Watch therefore, for you don't know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning;

 

13:36 lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping.

 

13:37 What I tell you, I tell all: Watch."

 

Ephesians 1

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:

 

1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;

 

1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love;

 

1:5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,

 

1:6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved,

 

1:7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

 

1:8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

 

1:9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

 

1:10 to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;

 

1:11 in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will;

 

1:12 to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:

 

1:13 in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

 

1:14 who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory.

 

1:15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints,

 

1:16 don't cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,

 

1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

 

1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

 

1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

 

1:20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

 

1:21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

 

1:22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,

 

1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

Ephesians 2

2:1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,

 

2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;

 

2:3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

 

2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

 

2:5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

 

2:6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

 

2:7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;

 

2:8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

 

2:9 not of works, that no one would boast.

 

2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

 

2:11 Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the flesh, made by hands);

 

2:12 that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

 

2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.

 

2:14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition,

 

2:15 having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;

 

2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby.

 

2:17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.

 

2:18 For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

 

2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,

 

2:20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;

 

2:21 in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;

2:22 in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Day 42 - Mark 14 and Ephesians 3-4

Mark 14

14:1 It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him.

 

14:2 For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."

 

14:3 While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard--very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head.

 

14:4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?

 

14:5 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.

 

14:6 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.

 

14:7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.

 

14:8 She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

 

14:9 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her."

 

14:10 Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.

 

14:11 They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.

 

14:12 On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make ready that you may eat the Passover?"

 

14:13 He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him,

 

14:14 and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'

 

14:15 He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make ready for us there."

 

14:16 His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

 

14:17 When it was evening he came with the twelve.

 

14:18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me--he who eats with me."

 

14:19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And another said, "Surely not I?"

 

14:20 He answered them, "It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.

 

14:21 For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."

 

14:22 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body."

 

14:23 He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.

 

14:24 He said to them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.

 

14:25 Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God."

 

14:26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

 

14:27 Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'  

 

14:28 However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."

 

14:29 But Peter said to him, "Although all will be offended, yet I will not."

 

14:30 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."

 

14:31 But he spoke all the more, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." They all said the same thing.

 

14:32 They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray."

 

14:33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.

 

14:34 He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch."

 

14:35 He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.

 

14:36 He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire."

 

14:37 He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you watch one hour?

 

14:38 Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

 

14:39 Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words.

 

14:40 Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn't know what to answer him.

 

14:41 He came the third time, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

 

14:42 Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."

 

14:43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came--and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.

 

14:44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely."

 

14:45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him.

 

14:46 They laid their hands on him, and seized him.

 

14:47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

 

14:48 Jesus answered them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?

 

14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled."

 

14:50 They all left him, and fled.

 

14:51 A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,

 

14:52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

 

14:53 They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.

 

14:54 Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.

 

14:55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.

 

14:56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn't agree with each other.

 

14:57 Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,

 

14:58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'"

 

14:59 Even so, their testimony did not agree.

 

14:60 The high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?"

 

14:61 But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"

 

14:62 Jesus said, "I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky."

 

14:63 The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses?

 

14:64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death.

 

14:65 Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, "Prophesy!" The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.

 

14:66 As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came,

 

14:67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!"

 

14:68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know, nor understand what you are saying." He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.

 

14:69 The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, "This is one of them."

 

14:70 But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, "You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."

 

14:71 But he began to curse, and to swear, "I don't know this man of whom you speak!"

 

14:72 The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." When he thought about that, he wept.

 

Ephesians 3

3:1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,

 

3:2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;

 

3:3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,

 

3:4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

 

3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

 

3:6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,

 

3:7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

 

3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

 

3:9 and to make all men see what is the administration  of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;

 

3:10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,

 

3:11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;

 

3:12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

 

3:13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

 

3:14 For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

 

3:16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

 

3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

 

3:18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

 

3:19 and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

 

3:21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

 

Ephesians 4

4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,

 

4:2 with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love;

 

4:3 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling;

 

4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 

4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.

 

4:7 But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

 

4:8 Therefore he says, "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."

 

4:9 Now this, "He ascended," what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

 

4:10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

 

4:11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds  and teachers;

 

4:12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;

 

4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

 

4:14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

 

4:15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ;

 

4:16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

 

4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

 

4:18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts;

 

4:19 who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

 

4:20 But you did not learn Christ that way;

 

4:21 if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:

 

4:22 that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit;

 

4:23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

 

4:24 and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

 

4:25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.

 

4:26 "Be angry, and don't sin.”  Don't let the sun go down on your wrath,

 

4:27 neither give place to the devil.

 

4:28 Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

 

4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

 

4:30 Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

 

4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.

4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

Day 43 - Mark 15 and Ephesians 5-6

Mark 15

15:1 Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.

 

15:2 Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered, "So you say."

 

15:3 The chief priests accused him of many things.

 

15:4 Pilate again asked him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!"

 

15:5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.

 

15:6 Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.

 

15:7 There was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.

 

15:8 The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them.

 

15:9 Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"

 

15:10 For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.

 

15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.

 

15:12 Pilate again asked them, "What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?"

 

15:13 They cried out again, "Crucify him!"

 

15:14 Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, "Crucify him!"

 

15:15 Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.

 

15:16 The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.

 

15:17 They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.

 

15:18 They began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

 

15:19 They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him.

 

15:20 When they had mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.

 

15:21 They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

 

15:22 They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, "The place of a skull."

 

15:23 They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn't take it.

 

15:24 Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.

 

15:25 It was the third hour, and they crucified him.

 

15:26 The superscription of his accusation was written over him, "THE KING OF THE JEWS."

 

15:27 With him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left.

 

15:28 The Scripture was fulfilled, which says, "He was numbered with transgressors."

 

15:29 Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days,

 

15:30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!"

 

15:31 Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, "He saved others. He can't save himself.

 

15:32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him." Those who were crucified with him insulted him.

 

15:33 When the sixth hour  had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

 

15:34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

 

15:35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, "Behold, he is calling Elijah."

 

15:36 One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Let him be. Let's see whether Elijah comes to take him down."

 

15:37 Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.

 

15:38 The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.

 

15:39 When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"

 

15:40 There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

 

15:41 who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

 

15:42 When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,

 

15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for the Kingdom of God, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus' body.

 

15:44 Pilate marveled if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.

 

15:45 When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

 

15:46 He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.

 

15:47 Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.

 

Ephesians 5

5:1 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.

 

5:2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

 

5:3 But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;

 

5:4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

 

5:5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

 

5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

 

5:7 Therefore don't be partakers with them.

 

5:8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

 

5:9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,

 

5:10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.

 

5:11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.

 

5:12 For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.

 

5:13 But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.

 

5:14 Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

 

5:15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

 

5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 

5:17 Therefore don't be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

 

5:18 Don't be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

 

5:19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and singing praises in your heart to the Lord;

 

5:20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

 

5:21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

 

5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

 

5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.

 

5:24 But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.

 

5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;

 

5:26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,

 

5:27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

5:28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.

 

5:29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;

 

5:30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.

 

5:31 "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh."

 

5:32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.

 

5:33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

 

Ephesians 6

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

 

6:2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise:

 

6:3 "that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth."

 

6:4 You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

 

6:5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;

 

6:6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

 

6:7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men;

 

6:8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

 

6:9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

 

6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.

 

6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 

6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 

6:13 Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

 

6:14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

 

6:15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace;

 

6:16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

 

6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God;

 

6:18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

 

6:19 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,

 

6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

6:21 But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things;

 

6:22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.

 

6:23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.

Day 44 - Mark 16 and Philippians 1-2

Mark 16

16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.

 

16:2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

 

16:3 They were saying among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?"

 

16:4 for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.

 

16:5 Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.

 

16:6 He said to them, "Don't be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!

 

16:7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.'"

 

16:8 They went out,  and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid.

 

16:9 Now when he had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

 

16:10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

 

16:11 When they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they disbelieved.

 

16:12 After these things he was revealed in another form to two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country.

 

16:13 They went away and told it to the rest. They didn't believe them, either.

 

16:14 Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn't believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

 

16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.

 

16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

 

16:17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;

 

16:18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

 

16:19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

 

16:20 They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

 

Philippians 1

1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:

 

1:2 Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1:3 I thank my God whenever I remember you,

 

1:4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,

 

1:5 for your partnership  in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;

 

1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

 

1:7 It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.

 

1:8 For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

 

1:9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;

 

1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;

 

1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 

1:12 Now I desire to have you know, brothers,  that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;

 

1:13 so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;

 

1:14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.

 

1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of goodwill.

 

1:16 The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;

 

1:17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.

 

1:18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.

 

1:19 For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

 

1:20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

 

1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

1:22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't make known what I will choose.

 

1:23 But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

 

1:24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

 

1:25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

 

1:26 that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

 

1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;

 

1:28 and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

 

1:29 Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,

 

1:30 having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now here is in me.

 

Philippians 2

2:1 If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,

 

2:2 make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

 

2:3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;

 

2:4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

 

2:5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,

 

2:6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,

 

2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.

 

2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.

 

2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;

 

2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,

 

2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

2:12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 

2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

 

2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputes,

 

2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,

 

2:16 holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain.

 

2:17 Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.

 

2:18 In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.

 

2:19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.

 

2:20 For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.

 

2:21 For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

 

2:22 But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.

 

2:23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me.

 

2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.

 

2:25 But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;

 

2:26 since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.

 

2:27 For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.

 

2:28 I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

 

2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor,

2:30 because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

Day 45 - Luke 1 and Philippians 3-4

Luke 1

1:1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,

 

1:2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,

 

1:3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;

 

1:4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

 

1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

 

1:6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.

 

1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.

 

1:8 Now it happened, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division,

 

1:9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

 

1:10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

 

1:11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

 

1:12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

 

1:13 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

 

1:14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.

 

1:15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

 

1:16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.

 

1:17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

 

1:18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."

 

1:19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.

 

1:20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."

 

1:21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.

 

1:22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.

 

1:23 It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.

 

1:24 After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,

 

1:25 "Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."

 

1:26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

 

1:27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

 

1:28 Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!"

 

1:29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.

 

1:30 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

 

1:31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'

 

1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,

 

1:33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."

 

1:34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"

 

1:35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.

 

1:36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

 

1:37 For everything spoken by God is possible."

 

1:38 Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.

 

1:39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,

 

1:40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

 

1:41 It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

1:42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

 

1:43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

 

1:44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!

 

1:45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"

 

1:46 Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.

 

1:47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,

 

1:48 for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

 

1:49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.

 

1:50 His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.

 

1:51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

 

1:52 He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly.

 

1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.

 

1:54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,

 

1:55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever."

 

1:56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.

 

1:57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son.

 

1:58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.

 

1:59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father.

 

1:60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."

 

1:61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name."

 

1:62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.

 

1:63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." They all marveled.

 

1:64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.

 

1:65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.

 

1:66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him.

 

1:67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

 

1:68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and worked redemption for his people;

 

1:69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David

 

1:70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),

 

1:71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;

 

1:72 to show mercy towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,

 

1:73 the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father,

 

1:74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,

 

1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.

 

1:76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways,

 

1:77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,

 

1:78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,

 

1:79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace."

 

1:80 The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

 

Philippians 3

3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.

 

3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.

 

3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

 

3:4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:

 

3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;

 

3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

 

3:7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.

 

3:8 Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ

 

3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

 

3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;

 

3:11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

 

3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

 

3:13 Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,

 

3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.

 

3:16 Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.

 

3:17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.

 

3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,

 

3:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.

 

3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

 

3:21 who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.

 

Philippians 4

4:1 Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

 

4:2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.

 

4:3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

 

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!

 

4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

 

4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

 

4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

 

4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.

 

4:9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

4:10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.

 

4:11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.

 

4:12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.

 

4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

 

4:14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.

 

4:15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.

 

4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.

 

4:17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.

 

4:18 But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.

 

4:19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

 

4:20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

 

4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.

 

4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar's household.

4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Day 46 - Luke 2 and Colossians 1-2

Luke 2

2:1 Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

 

2:2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

 

2:3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

 

2:4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;

 

2:5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

 

2:6 It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.

 

2:7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

2:8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

 

2:9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

 

2:10 The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

 

2:11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

 

2:12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."

 

2:13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,

 

2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

 

2:15 It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

 

2:16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

 

2:17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

 

2:18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.

 

2:19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.

 

2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

 

2:21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

 

2:22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord

 

2:23 as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord",

 

2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

 

2:25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

 

2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

 

2:27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,

 

2:28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

 

2:29 "Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;

 

2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

 

2:31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

 

2:32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel."

 

2:33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,

 

2:34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.

 

2:35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

 

2:36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

 

2:37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years, who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.

 

2:38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

 

2:39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

 

2:40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

 

2:41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

 

2:42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,

 

2:43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it,

 

2:44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

 

2:45 When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

 

2:46 It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.

 

2:47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

 

2:48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."

 

2:49 He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"

 

2:50 They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them.

 

2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

 

2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

 

Colossians 1

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

 

1:2 to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1:3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

 

1:4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints,

 

1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News,

 

1:6 which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

 

1:7 even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,

 

1:8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

 

1:9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

 

1:10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

 

1:11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;

 

1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;

 

1:13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;

 

1:14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins;

 

1:15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

 

1:16 For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.

 

1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.

 

1:18 He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 

1:19 For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him;

 

1:20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.

 

1:21 You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,

 

1:22 yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him,

 

1:23 if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.

 

1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the assembly;

 

1:25 of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,

 

1:26 the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,

 

1:27 to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;

 

1:28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

 

1:29 for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

 

Colossians 2

2:1 For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

 

2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

 

2:3 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

 

2:4 Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

 

2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

 

2:6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,

 

2:7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.

 

2:8 Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

 

2:9 For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,

 

2:10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;

 

2:11 in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;

 

2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

 

2:13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

 

2:14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

 

2:15 having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

 

2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,

 

2:17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

 

2:18 Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

 

2:19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's growth.

 

2:20 If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,

 

2:21 "Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch"

 

2:22 all of which perish with use, according to the precepts and doctrines of men?

2:23 Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Day 47 - Luke 3 and Colossians 3-4

Luke 3

3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

 

3:2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

 

3:3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.

 

3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.

 

3:5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.

 

3:6 All flesh will see God's salvation.'

 

3:7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

 

3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don't begin to say among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father;' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

 

3:9 Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."

 

3:10 The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"

 

3:11 He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."

 

3:12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"

 

3:13 He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."

 

3:14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."

 

3:15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

 

3:16 John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,

 

3:17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

 

3:18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,

 

3:19 but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

 

3:20 added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

 

3:21 Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened,

 

3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying "You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased."

 

3:23 Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

 

3:24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

 

3:25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

 

3:26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Simeon, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,

 

3:27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

 

3:28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,

 

3:29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

 

3:30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,

 

3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,

 

3:32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

 

3:33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram,  the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,

 

3:34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

 

3:35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,

 

3:36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

 

3:37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

 

3:38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

 

Colossians 3

3:1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

 

3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

 

3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

 

3:4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

 

3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

 

3:6 for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

 

3:7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;

 

3:8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

 

3:9 Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

 

3:10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

 

3:11 where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond servant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

 

3:12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

 

3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

 

3:14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

 

3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

 

3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

 

3:17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

 

3:18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

 

3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.

 

3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

 

3:21 Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.

 

3:22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

 

3:23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,

 

3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

 

3:25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

 

Colossians 4

4:1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

 

4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

 

4:3 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

 

4:4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

 

4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

 

4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

 

4:7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.

 

4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

 

4:9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

 

4:10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you, receive him"),

 

4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, men who have been a comfort to me.

 

4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

 

4:13 For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

 

4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.

 

4:15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.

 

4:16 When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

 

4:17 Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."

4:18 The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Day 48 - Luke 4 and I Thessalonians 1-2

Luke 4

4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness

 

4:2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.

 

4:3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."

 

4:4 Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'

 

4:5 The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

 

4:6 The devil said to him, "I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want.

 

4:7 If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours."

 

4:8 Jesus answered him, "Get behind me Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.'

 

4:9 He led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here,

 

4:10 for it is written, 'He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;'

 

4:11 and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.'

 

4:12 Jesus answering, said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'

 

4:13 When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.

 

4:14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.

 

4:15 He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

 

4:16 He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

 

4:17 The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,

 

4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,  to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,

 

4:19 and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

 

4:20 He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.

 

4:21 He began to tell them, "Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

 

4:22 All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, "Isn't this Joseph's son?"

 

4:23 He said to them, "Doubtless you will tell me this parable, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.'"

 

4:24 He said, "Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.

 

4:25 But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land.

 

4:26 Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

 

4:27 There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian."

 

4:28 They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things.

 

4:29 They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff.

 

4:30 But he, passing through the midst of them, went his way.

 

4:31 He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day,

 

4:32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.

 

4:33 In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,

 

4:34 saying, "Ah! what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!"

 

4:35 Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" When the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

 

4:36 Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!"

 

4:37 News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.

 

4:38 He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her.

 

4:39 He stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her. Immediately she rose up and served them.

 

4:40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

 

4:41 Demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Rebuking them, he didn't allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

 

4:42 When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place, and the multitudes looked for him, and came to him, and held onto him, so that he wouldn't go away from them.

 

4:43 But he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent."

 

4:44 He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

 

1 Thessalonians 1

1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1:2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,

 

1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

 

1:4 We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,

 

1:5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.

 

1:6 You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

 

1:7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

 

1:8 For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything.

 

1:9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

 

1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

 

1 Thessalonians 2

2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn't in vain,

 

2:2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.

 

2:3 For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.

 

2:4 But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.

 

2:5 For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloke of covetousness (God is witness),

 

2:6 nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.

 

2:7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

 

2:8 Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.

 

2:9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.

 

2:10 You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.

 

2:11 As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored everyone of you, as a father does his own children,

 

2:12 to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.

 

2:13 For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.

 

2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;

 

2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn't please God, and are contrary to all men;

 

2:16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.

 

2:17 But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,

 

2:18 because we wanted to come to you--indeed, I, Paul, once and again--but Satan hindered us.

 

2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn't it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

2:20 For you are our glory and our joy.

Day 49 - Luke 5 and I Thessalonians 3-4

Luke 5

5:1 Now it happened, while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.

 

5:2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

 

5:3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

 

5:4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch."

 

5:5 Simon answered him, "Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net."

 

5:6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.

 

5:7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.

 

5:8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord."

 

5:9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught;

 

5:10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive."

 

5:11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.

 

5:12 It happened, while he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean."

 

5:13 He stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately the leprosy left him.

 

5:14 He commanded him to tell no one, "But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."

 

5:15 But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

 

5:16 But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.

 

5:17 It happened on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them.

 

5:18 Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.

 

5:19 Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus.

 

5:20 Seeing their faith, he said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

 

5:21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

 

5:22 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, "Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?

 

5:23 Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you;' or to say, 'Arise and walk?'

 

5:24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (he said to the paralyzed man), "I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house."

 

5:25 Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God.

 

5:26 Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today."

 

5:27 After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, "Follow me!"

 

5:28 He left everything, and rose up and followed him.

 

5:29 Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.

 

5:30 Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"

 

5:31 Jesus answered them, "Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.

 

5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

 

5:33 They said to him, "Why do John's disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?"

 

5:34 He said to them, "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast, while the bridegroom is with them?

 

5:35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days."

 

5:36 He also told a parable to them. "No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old.

 

5:37 No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.

 

5:38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.

 

5:39 No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, 'The old is better.'"

 

I Thessalonians 3

3:1 Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,

 

3:2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;

 

3:3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.

 

3:4 For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.

 

3:5 For this cause I also, when I couldn't stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.

 

3:6 But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;

 

3:7 for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.

 

3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

 

3:9 For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;

 

3:10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

 

3:11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you;

 

3:12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,

 

3:13 to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

 

I Thessalonians 4

4:1 Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more.

 

4:2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

 

4:3 For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,

 

4:4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

 

4:5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don't know God;

 

4:6 that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.

 

4:7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

 

4:8 Therefore he who rejects this doesn't reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.

 

4:9 But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,

 

4:10 for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more;

 

4:11 and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;

 

4:12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

 

4:13 But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

 

4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

 

4:15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.

 

4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,

 

4:17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.

4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Day 50 - Luke 6 and I Thessalonians 5

Luke 6

6:1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first, that he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.

 

6:2 But some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?"

 

6:3 Jesus, answering them, said, "Haven't you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;

 

6:4 how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?"

 

6:5 He said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."

 

6:6 It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered.

 

6:7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.

 

6:8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise up, and stand in the middle." He arose and stood.

 

6:9 Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?"

 

6:10 He looked around at them all, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other.

 

6:11 But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.

 

6:12 It happened in these days, that he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.

 

6:13 When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:

 

6:14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;

 

6:15 Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot;

 

6:16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.

 

6:17 He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;

 

6:18 as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed.

 

6:19 All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

 

6:20 He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.

 

6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

 

6:22 Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.

 

6:23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.

 

6:24 "But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.

 

6:25 Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

 

6:26 Woe to you, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.

 

6:27 "But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

 

6:28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

 

6:29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don't withhold your coat also.

 

6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don't ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.

 

6:31 "As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.

 

6:32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

 

6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

 

6:34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.

 

6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

 

6:36 Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.

 

6:37 Don't judge, and you won't be judged. Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.

 

6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."

 

6:39 He spoke a parable to them. "Can the blind guide the blind? Won't they both fall into a pit?

 

6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

 

6:41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye?

 

6:42 Or how can you tell your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,' when you yourself don't see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye.

 

6:43 For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit.

 

6:44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

 

6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

 

6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things which I say?

 

6:47 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like.

 

6:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.

 

6:49 But he who hears, and doesn't do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

 

I Thessalonians 5

5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.

 

5:2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

 

5:3 For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.

 

5:4 But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.

 

5:5 You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness,

 

5:6 so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let's watch and be sober.

 

5:7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night.

 

5:8 But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

 

5:9 For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

5:10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

 

5:11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

 

5:12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,

 

5:13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

 

5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

 

5:15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.

 

5:16 Rejoice always.

 

5:17 Pray without ceasing.

 

5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

 

5:19 Don't quench the Spirit.

 

5:20 Don't despise prophecies.

 

5:21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.

 

5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

 

5:23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.

 

5:25 Brothers, pray for us.

 

5:26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

 

5:27 I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.

5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.