Thematic Bible: Select readings
Thematic Bible
Christ » Devotions of » Select readings
Once as he was praying in a certain place, when he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, "Master, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Father, your name be revered! Your kingdom come! Give us each day our bread for the day, read more.
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
He gave them an illustration to show that they must always pray and not give up, and he said, "There was once in a city a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for men. There was a widow in the city and she came to him and said, 'Protect me from my opponent.' read more.
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Daily duty » Select readings
Take care that none of you ever pays back evil for evil, but always try to treat one another and everybody with kindness. Always be joyful. Never give up praying. read more.
Thank God whatever happens. For this is what God through Christ Jesus wants you to do. Do not stifle the Spirit. Do not disregard the utterances it inspires, but test them all, retaining what is good and avoiding every kind of evil. May God himself, the giver of peace, consecrate you through and through. Spirit, soul, and body, may you be kept sound, and be found irreproachable when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. He who calls you can be relied on, and he will do this. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a sacred kiss. I charge you in the Lord's name to have this letter read to all the brothers. The blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Thank God whatever happens. For this is what God through Christ Jesus wants you to do. Do not stifle the Spirit. Do not disregard the utterances it inspires, but test them all, retaining what is good and avoiding every kind of evil. May God himself, the giver of peace, consecrate you through and through. Spirit, soul, and body, may you be kept sound, and be found irreproachable when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. He who calls you can be relied on, and he will do this. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a sacred kiss. I charge you in the Lord's name to have this letter read to all the brothers. The blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The Dead » Resurrection of » Select readings
We do not want you to be under any misapprehension, brothers, about those who are falling asleep. You must not grieve for them, as others do who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then by means of Jesus God will bring back with him those who have fallen asleep. For we can assure you, on the Lord's own authority, that those of us who will still be living when the Lord comes will have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. read more.
For the Lord himself, at the summons, when the archangel calls and God's trumpet sounds, will come down from heaven, and first those who died in union with Christ will rise; then those of us who are still living will be caught up with them on clouds into the air to meet the Lord, and so we shall be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with this truth.
For the Lord himself, at the summons, when the archangel calls and God's trumpet sounds, will come down from heaven, and first those who died in union with Christ will rise; then those of us who are still living will be caught up with them on clouds into the air to meet the Lord, and so we shall be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with this truth.
Now a man named Lazarus was sick; he lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who poured perfume upon the Master and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent this message to Jesus: "Master, your friend is sick." read more.
When Jesus received it he said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but is for the honor of God, that through it the Son of God may be honored." Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on for two days in the place where he was, and then afterward said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." The disciples said to him, "Master, the Jews have just been trying to stone you, and are you going back there again?" Jesus answered, "Is not the day twelve hours long? If a man travels by day he will not stumble, for he can see the light of this world; but if he travels at night he will stumble because he has no light." He told them this, and then he added, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him." The disciples said to him, "Master, if he has fallen asleep he will recover." Now Jesus had referred to his death. But they supposed that he meant a natural falling asleep. So Jesus then told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may learn to believe in me. But let us go to him." So Thomas the Twin said to his fellow-disciples, "Let us go also, and die with him." When Jesus arrived he found that Lazarus had been buried for four days. Now Bethany is only about two miles from Jerusalem, and a number of Jews had come out to see Mary and Martha, to condole with them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went out to meet him, but Mary remained at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died! Even now I know that anything you ask God for, he will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise at the resurrection, on the Last Day." Jesus said to her, "I myself am Resurrection and Life. He who believes in me will live on, even if he dies, and no one who is alive and believes in me will ever die. Do you believe that?" She said to him, "Yes, Master, I do indeed believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." With these words she went and called her sister Mary, whispering to her, "Here is the Master, asking for you." When she heard it she sprang up and went to him, for Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were sitting with her in the house, condoling with her, when they saw Mary spring up and go out, supposed that she was going to weep at the tomb, and followed her. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, and said, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!" When Jesus saw her weep and the Jews who had come with her weeping too, repressing a groan, and yet showing great agitation, he said, "Where have you laid him?" They answered, "Come and see, Master." Jesus shed tears. So the Jews said, "See how much he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of that blind man, have kept Lazarus from dying?" Again repressing a groan, Jesus went to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid against the mouth of it. Jesus said, "Move the stone away." The dead man's sister, Martha, said to him, "Master, by this time he is decaying, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Have I not promised you that if you will believe in me you will see the glory of God?" So they moved the stone away. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for listening to me, though I knew that you always listen to me. But I have said this for the sake of the people that are standing around me that they may believe that you have made me your messenger." After saying this he called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and with his face muffled with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him and let him move."
When Jesus received it he said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but is for the honor of God, that through it the Son of God may be honored." Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on for two days in the place where he was, and then afterward said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." The disciples said to him, "Master, the Jews have just been trying to stone you, and are you going back there again?" Jesus answered, "Is not the day twelve hours long? If a man travels by day he will not stumble, for he can see the light of this world; but if he travels at night he will stumble because he has no light." He told them this, and then he added, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him." The disciples said to him, "Master, if he has fallen asleep he will recover." Now Jesus had referred to his death. But they supposed that he meant a natural falling asleep. So Jesus then told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may learn to believe in me. But let us go to him." So Thomas the Twin said to his fellow-disciples, "Let us go also, and die with him." When Jesus arrived he found that Lazarus had been buried for four days. Now Bethany is only about two miles from Jerusalem, and a number of Jews had come out to see Mary and Martha, to condole with them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went out to meet him, but Mary remained at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died! Even now I know that anything you ask God for, he will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise at the resurrection, on the Last Day." Jesus said to her, "I myself am Resurrection and Life. He who believes in me will live on, even if he dies, and no one who is alive and believes in me will ever die. Do you believe that?" She said to him, "Yes, Master, I do indeed believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." With these words she went and called her sister Mary, whispering to her, "Here is the Master, asking for you." When she heard it she sprang up and went to him, for Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were sitting with her in the house, condoling with her, when they saw Mary spring up and go out, supposed that she was going to weep at the tomb, and followed her. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, and said, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!" When Jesus saw her weep and the Jews who had come with her weeping too, repressing a groan, and yet showing great agitation, he said, "Where have you laid him?" They answered, "Come and see, Master." Jesus shed tears. So the Jews said, "See how much he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of that blind man, have kept Lazarus from dying?" Again repressing a groan, Jesus went to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid against the mouth of it. Jesus said, "Move the stone away." The dead man's sister, Martha, said to him, "Master, by this time he is decaying, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Have I not promised you that if you will believe in me you will see the glory of God?" So they moved the stone away. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for listening to me, though I knew that you always listen to me. But I have said this for the sake of the people that are standing around me that they may believe that you have made me your messenger." After saying this he called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and with his face muffled with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him and let him move."
When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary, James's mother, and Salome bought spices, in order to go and anoint him. Then very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb, when the sun had just risen. And they said to one another, "Who will roll the stone back from the doorway of the tomb for us?" read more.
And they looked up and saw that the stone had been rolled back, for it was very large. And when they went into the tomb they saw a young man in a white robe sitting at the right, and they were utterly amazed. But he said to them, "You must not be amazed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here. See! This is where they laid him. But go and say to his disciples and to Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; you will see him there, just as he told you.' " And they fled out of the tomb, for they were all trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing about it to anyone, for they were afraid to do so. AN ANCIENT APPENDIX But they reported briefly to Peter and his companions all they had been told. And afterward Jesus himself sent out by them from the east to the west the sacred and incorruptible message of eternal salvation. \b ANOTHER ANCIENT APPENDIX Now after he had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had driven out seven evil spirits. She went and told it to his old companions, while they were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and that she had seen him, they would not believe it. Afterward he showed himself in a different form to two of them as they were walking along, on their way into the country. They went back and told the rest, but they would not believe them. Still later he appeared to the Eleven themselves when they were at table, and reproached them for their obstinacy and want of faith, because they had not believed those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.
And they looked up and saw that the stone had been rolled back, for it was very large. And when they went into the tomb they saw a young man in a white robe sitting at the right, and they were utterly amazed. But he said to them, "You must not be amazed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here. See! This is where they laid him. But go and say to his disciples and to Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; you will see him there, just as he told you.' " And they fled out of the tomb, for they were all trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing about it to anyone, for they were afraid to do so. AN ANCIENT APPENDIX But they reported briefly to Peter and his companions all they had been told. And afterward Jesus himself sent out by them from the east to the west the sacred and incorruptible message of eternal salvation. \b ANOTHER ANCIENT APPENDIX Now after he had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had driven out seven evil spirits. She went and told it to his old companions, while they were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and that she had seen him, they would not believe it. Afterward he showed himself in a different form to two of them as they were walking along, on their way into the country. They went back and told the rest, but they would not believe them. Still later he appeared to the Eleven themselves when they were at table, and reproached them for their obstinacy and want of faith, because they had not believed those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.
but on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking spices they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, and when they went inside they could not find the body. read more.
They were in great perplexity over this, when suddenly two men in dazzling clothing stood beside them. The women were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look among the dead for him who is alive? Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, when he said that the Son of Man must be handed over to wicked men and be crucified and rise again on the third day." Then they remembered his words, and they went back from the tomb and told all this to the eleven and all the rest. They were Mary of Magdala and Joanna and Mary, James's mother; and the other women also told this to the apostles. But the story seemed to them to be nonsense and they would not believe them. OMITTED TEXT That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all these things that had happened. And as they were talking and discussing them, Jesus himself came up and went with them, but they were prevented from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is all this that you are discussing with each other on your way?" They stopped sadly, and one of them named Cleopas said to him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know what has happened there lately?" And he said, "What is it?" They said to him, "About Jesus of Nazareth, who in the eyes of God and of all the people was a prophet mighty in deed and word, and how the high priests and our leading men gave him up to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. But we were hoping that he was to be the deliverer of Israel. Why, besides all this, it is three days since it happened. But some women of our number have astounded us. They went to the tomb early this morning and could not find his body, but came back and said that they had actually seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Then some of our party went to the tomb and found things just as the women had said, but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "How foolish you are and how slow to believe all that the prophets have said! Did not the Christ have to suffer thus before entering upon his glory?" And he began with Moses and all the prophets and explained to them the passages all through the Scriptures that referred to himself. When they reached the village to which they were going, he acted as though he were going on, but they urged him not to, and said, "Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. And when he took his place with them at table, he took the bread and blessed it and broke it in pieces and handed it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew him, and he vanished from them. And they said to each other, "Did not our hearts glow when he was talking to us on the road, and was explaining the Scriptures to us?" And they got up immediately and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and their party all together, and learned from them that the Master had really risen and had been seen by Simon. And they told what had happened on the road, and how they had known him when he broke the bread in pieces. While they were still talking of these things, he himself stood among them. They were startled and panic-stricken, and thought they saw a ghost. But he said to them, "Why are you so disturbed, and why do doubts arise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet, for it is I myself! Feel of me and see, for a ghost has not flesh and bones, as you see I have." OMITTED TEXT But they could not yet believe it for sheer joy and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it before their eyes. Then he said to them, "This is what I told you when I was still with you??hat everything that is written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must come true." Then he opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures, and said to them, "The Scriptures said that Christ should suffer as he has done, and rise from the dead on the third day,
They were in great perplexity over this, when suddenly two men in dazzling clothing stood beside them. The women were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look among the dead for him who is alive? Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, when he said that the Son of Man must be handed over to wicked men and be crucified and rise again on the third day." Then they remembered his words, and they went back from the tomb and told all this to the eleven and all the rest. They were Mary of Magdala and Joanna and Mary, James's mother; and the other women also told this to the apostles. But the story seemed to them to be nonsense and they would not believe them. OMITTED TEXT That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all these things that had happened. And as they were talking and discussing them, Jesus himself came up and went with them, but they were prevented from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is all this that you are discussing with each other on your way?" They stopped sadly, and one of them named Cleopas said to him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know what has happened there lately?" And he said, "What is it?" They said to him, "About Jesus of Nazareth, who in the eyes of God and of all the people was a prophet mighty in deed and word, and how the high priests and our leading men gave him up to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. But we were hoping that he was to be the deliverer of Israel. Why, besides all this, it is three days since it happened. But some women of our number have astounded us. They went to the tomb early this morning and could not find his body, but came back and said that they had actually seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Then some of our party went to the tomb and found things just as the women had said, but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "How foolish you are and how slow to believe all that the prophets have said! Did not the Christ have to suffer thus before entering upon his glory?" And he began with Moses and all the prophets and explained to them the passages all through the Scriptures that referred to himself. When they reached the village to which they were going, he acted as though he were going on, but they urged him not to, and said, "Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. And when he took his place with them at table, he took the bread and blessed it and broke it in pieces and handed it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew him, and he vanished from them. And they said to each other, "Did not our hearts glow when he was talking to us on the road, and was explaining the Scriptures to us?" And they got up immediately and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and their party all together, and learned from them that the Master had really risen and had been seen by Simon. And they told what had happened on the road, and how they had known him when he broke the bread in pieces. While they were still talking of these things, he himself stood among them. They were startled and panic-stricken, and thought they saw a ghost. But he said to them, "Why are you so disturbed, and why do doubts arise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet, for it is I myself! Feel of me and see, for a ghost has not flesh and bones, as you see I have." OMITTED TEXT But they could not yet believe it for sheer joy and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it before their eyes. Then he said to them, "This is what I told you when I was still with you??hat everything that is written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must come true." Then he opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures, and said to them, "The Scriptures said that Christ should suffer as he has done, and rise from the dead on the third day,
God » Wisdom of » Select readings
spiritual Growth » Encouraged » Select readings
I have much to say to you about this, but it is difficult to make it clear to you, because you have become so slow of apprehension. For although from the length of your Christian experience you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very elements of Christian truth, and you have come to need milk instead of solid food. For anyone who is limited to milk is unacquainted with Christian teaching, for he is only an infant. read more.
But full-grown men have a right to solid food, for their faculties are trained by practice to distinguish right and wrong.
But full-grown men have a right to solid food, for their faculties are trained by practice to distinguish right and wrong.
Let us therefore leave elementary Christian teaching alone and advance toward maturity. We must not be always relaying foundations, of repentance for wrong-doing, and of faith in God, with the teaching of baptism and the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and final judgment. And we will advance if God permits it. read more.
For it is impossible to arouse people to a fresh repentance when they have once for all come into the light and had a taste of the gift from heaven, and shared in the holy Spirit and felt the goodness of the word of God and the strong influences of the coming age, and yet have fallen back, for they crucify the Son of God on their own account, and hold him up to contempt. Ground that drinks in frequent showers and produces vegetation that is of use to those for whom it is cultivated receives God's blessing. But if it yields thorns and thistles, it is thought worthless and almost cursed, and it will finally be burned. But about you, dear friends, even though we say this, we are sure of better things that promise salvation. For God is not so unjust as to forget the work you have done and the love you have showed for his cause, in giving help to your fellow-Christians as you still do. But we want each of you to exhibit this same earnestness to the very end with regard to your confidence in your hope, so that you may never grow careless, but may learn to follow the example of those who through their faith and endurance are the possessors of God's promises. For when God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to make oath by, he did so by himself, and said, "I will certainly bless you richly, and greatly increase your numbers." And so after waiting patiently, he received what God had promised him. For men make oath by something greater than themselves, and they accept an oath as settling finally any disagreement they may have.
For it is impossible to arouse people to a fresh repentance when they have once for all come into the light and had a taste of the gift from heaven, and shared in the holy Spirit and felt the goodness of the word of God and the strong influences of the coming age, and yet have fallen back, for they crucify the Son of God on their own account, and hold him up to contempt. Ground that drinks in frequent showers and produces vegetation that is of use to those for whom it is cultivated receives God's blessing. But if it yields thorns and thistles, it is thought worthless and almost cursed, and it will finally be burned. But about you, dear friends, even though we say this, we are sure of better things that promise salvation. For God is not so unjust as to forget the work you have done and the love you have showed for his cause, in giving help to your fellow-Christians as you still do. But we want each of you to exhibit this same earnestness to the very end with regard to your confidence in your hope, so that you may never grow careless, but may learn to follow the example of those who through their faith and endurance are the possessors of God's promises. For when God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to make oath by, he did so by himself, and said, "I will certainly bless you richly, and greatly increase your numbers." And so after waiting patiently, he received what God had promised him. For men make oath by something greater than themselves, and they accept an oath as settling finally any disagreement they may have.
Heavenly » Home heavenly home the final dwelling place of the saints » Select readings
So I tell you, make friends for yourselves with your ill-gotten wealth, so that when it fails, they may take you into the eternal dwellings.
Importunity » Select readings
Once as he was praying in a certain place, when he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, "Master, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Father, your name be revered! Your kingdom come! Give us each day our bread for the day, read more.
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
He gave them an illustration to show that they must always pray and not give up, and he said, "There was once in a city a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for men. There was a widow in the city and she came to him and said, 'Protect me from my opponent.' read more.
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Prayer » Select readings
Once as he was praying in a certain place, when he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, "Master, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Father, your name be revered! Your kingdom come! Give us each day our bread for the day, read more.
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
He gave them an illustration to show that they must always pray and not give up, and he said, "There was once in a city a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for men. There was a widow in the city and she came to him and said, 'Protect me from my opponent.' read more.
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Select readings » The raising of lazarus
Now a man named Lazarus was sick; he lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who poured perfume upon the Master and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent this message to Jesus: "Master, your friend is sick."
Now Bethany is only about two miles from Jerusalem, and a number of Jews had come out to see Mary and Martha, to condole with them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went out to meet him, but Mary remained at home. read more.
Martha said to Jesus, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died! Even now I know that anything you ask God for, he will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise at the resurrection, on the Last Day." Jesus said to her, "I myself am Resurrection and Life. He who believes in me will live on, even if he dies, and no one who is alive and believes in me will ever die. Do you believe that?" She said to him, "Yes, Master, I do indeed believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." With these words she went and called her sister Mary, whispering to her, "Here is the Master, asking for you." When she heard it she sprang up and went to him, for Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were sitting with her in the house, condoling with her, when they saw Mary spring up and go out, supposed that she was going to weep at the tomb, and followed her. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, and said, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!" When Jesus saw her weep and the Jews who had come with her weeping too, repressing a groan, and yet showing great agitation, he said, "Where have you laid him?" They answered, "Come and see, Master." Jesus shed tears. So the Jews said, "See how much he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of that blind man, have kept Lazarus from dying?" Again repressing a groan, Jesus went to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid against the mouth of it. Jesus said, "Move the stone away." The dead man's sister, Martha, said to him, "Master, by this time he is decaying, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Have I not promised you that if you will believe in me you will see the glory of God?" So they moved the stone away. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for listening to me, though I knew that you always listen to me. But I have said this for the sake of the people that are standing around me that they may believe that you have made me your messenger." After saying this he called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and with his face muffled with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him and let him move." So it came about that many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and saw what Jesus did, came to believe in him, but some of them went back to the Pharisees and told them what he had done.
Martha said to Jesus, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died! Even now I know that anything you ask God for, he will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise at the resurrection, on the Last Day." Jesus said to her, "I myself am Resurrection and Life. He who believes in me will live on, even if he dies, and no one who is alive and believes in me will ever die. Do you believe that?" She said to him, "Yes, Master, I do indeed believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." With these words she went and called her sister Mary, whispering to her, "Here is the Master, asking for you." When she heard it she sprang up and went to him, for Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were sitting with her in the house, condoling with her, when they saw Mary spring up and go out, supposed that she was going to weep at the tomb, and followed her. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, and said, "Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!" When Jesus saw her weep and the Jews who had come with her weeping too, repressing a groan, and yet showing great agitation, he said, "Where have you laid him?" They answered, "Come and see, Master." Jesus shed tears. So the Jews said, "See how much he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of that blind man, have kept Lazarus from dying?" Again repressing a groan, Jesus went to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid against the mouth of it. Jesus said, "Move the stone away." The dead man's sister, Martha, said to him, "Master, by this time he is decaying, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Have I not promised you that if you will believe in me you will see the glory of God?" So they moved the stone away. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for listening to me, though I knew that you always listen to me. But I have said this for the sake of the people that are standing around me that they may believe that you have made me your messenger." After saying this he called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and with his face muffled with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him and let him move." So it came about that many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and saw what Jesus did, came to believe in him, but some of them went back to the Pharisees and told them what he had done.
Select readings » David's lament over absalom
Select readings » The betrayal of jesus by judas iscariot
While he was still speaking, a crowd of people came up, with the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, at their head, and he stepped up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, "Would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" Those who were about him saw what was coming and said, "Master, shall we use our swords?" read more.
And one of them did strike at the high priest's slave and cut his right ear off. But Jesus answered, "Let me do this much!" And he touched his ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the high priests, captains of the Temple, and elders who had come to take him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as though I were a robber? When I was among you day after day in the Temple you never laid a hand on me! But you choose this hour, and the cover of darkness!" Then they arrested him and led him away and took him to the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance. And they kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat about it, and Peter sat down among them. A maid saw him sitting by the fire and looked at him and said, "This man was with him too." But he denied it, and said, "I do not know him." Shortly after, a man saw him and said, "You are one of them too!" But Peter said, "I am not!" About an hour later, another man insisted, "This man was certainly with him too, for he is a Galilean!" But Peter said, "I do not know what you mean." And immediately, just as he spoke, a cock crowed. And the Master turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the words the Master had said to him??"Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
And one of them did strike at the high priest's slave and cut his right ear off. But Jesus answered, "Let me do this much!" And he touched his ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the high priests, captains of the Temple, and elders who had come to take him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as though I were a robber? When I was among you day after day in the Temple you never laid a hand on me! But you choose this hour, and the cover of darkness!" Then they arrested him and led him away and took him to the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance. And they kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat about it, and Peter sat down among them. A maid saw him sitting by the fire and looked at him and said, "This man was with him too." But he denied it, and said, "I do not know him." Shortly after, a man saw him and said, "You are one of them too!" But Peter said, "I am not!" About an hour later, another man insisted, "This man was certainly with him too, for he is a Galilean!" But Peter said, "I do not know what you mean." And immediately, just as he spoke, a cock crowed. And the Master turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the words the Master had said to him??"Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Select readings » The parable of the good samaritan
Then an expert in the Law got up to test him and said, "Master, what must I do to make sure of eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What does the Law say? How does it read?" He answered, " 'You must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole strength, and your whole mind,' and 'your neighbor as you do yourself.' " read more.
Jesus said to him, "You are right. Do that, and you will live." But he, wishing to justify his question, said, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers, and they stripped him and beat him and went off leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be going that way, and when he saw him, he went by on the other side of the road. And a Levite also came to the place, and when he saw him, he went by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon him, and when he saw him he pitied him, and he went up to him and dressed his wounds with oil and wine and bound them up. And he put him on his own mule and brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out a dollar and gave it to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend I will refund to you on my way back.' Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?" He said, "The man who took pity on him." Jesus said to him, "Go and do so yourself!"
Jesus said to him, "You are right. Do that, and you will live." But he, wishing to justify his question, said, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers, and they stripped him and beat him and went off leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be going that way, and when he saw him, he went by on the other side of the road. And a Levite also came to the place, and when he saw him, he went by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon him, and when he saw him he pitied him, and he went up to him and dressed his wounds with oil and wine and bound them up. And he put him on his own mule and brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out a dollar and gave it to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend I will refund to you on my way back.' Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?" He said, "The man who took pity on him." Jesus said to him, "Go and do so yourself!"
Select readings » Elijah's miraculous preservation
Select readings » The parable of the prodigal son
And he said, "A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the property.' So he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered up all he had, and went away to a distant country, and there he squandered his property by fast living. read more.
After he had spent it all, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. And he went and hired himself out to a resident of the country, and he sent him into his fields to tend pigs. And he was ready to fill himself with the pods the pigs were eating, and no one would give him anything. When he came to himself he said, 'How many hired men my father has, who have more than enough to eat, and here I am, dying of hunger! I will get up, and go to my father, and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your eyes; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired men!" ' And he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and pitied him, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your eyes; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired men!' But his father said to his slaves, 'Make haste and get out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and get the calf we are fattening, and kill it, and let us feast and celebrate, for my son here was dead, and he has come to life; he was lost, and he is found!' So they began to celebrate. But his elder son was in the field. When he came in and approached the house, he heard music and dancing, and he called one of the servants to him and asked him what it meant. He said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the calf he has been fattening, because he has gotten him back alive and well.' But he was angry and would not go into the house. And his father came out and urged him. And he said to his father, 'Here I have served you all these years, and have never disobeyed an order of yours, and you have never given me a kid, so that I could entertain my friends. But when your son here came, who has eaten up your property with women of the street, for him you killed the calf you have been fattening!' But he said to him, 'My child, you have been with me all the time, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because your brother was dead, and has come to life, and was lost and is found!' "
After he had spent it all, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. And he went and hired himself out to a resident of the country, and he sent him into his fields to tend pigs. And he was ready to fill himself with the pods the pigs were eating, and no one would give him anything. When he came to himself he said, 'How many hired men my father has, who have more than enough to eat, and here I am, dying of hunger! I will get up, and go to my father, and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your eyes; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired men!" ' And he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and pitied him, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your eyes; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired men!' But his father said to his slaves, 'Make haste and get out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and get the calf we are fattening, and kill it, and let us feast and celebrate, for my son here was dead, and he has come to life; he was lost, and he is found!' So they began to celebrate. But his elder son was in the field. When he came in and approached the house, he heard music and dancing, and he called one of the servants to him and asked him what it meant. He said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the calf he has been fattening, because he has gotten him back alive and well.' But he was angry and would not go into the house. And his father came out and urged him. And he said to his father, 'Here I have served you all these years, and have never disobeyed an order of yours, and you have never given me a kid, so that I could entertain my friends. But when your son here came, who has eaten up your property with women of the street, for him you killed the calf you have been fattening!' But he said to him, 'My child, you have been with me all the time, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because your brother was dead, and has come to life, and was lost and is found!' "
Select readings » The brevity of life
Select readings » Paul on mars' hill
Then Paul stood up in the middle of the council and said, "Men of Athens, from every point of view I see that you are extremely religious. For as I was going about and looking at the things you worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: 'To an Unknown God.' So it is what you already worship in ignorance that I am now telling you of. God who created the world and all that is in it, since he is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples built by human hands, read more.
nor is he waited on by human hands as though he were in need of anything, for he himself gives all men life and breath and everything. From one forefather he has created every nation of mankind, and made them live all over the face of the earth, fixing their appointed times and the limits of their lands, so that they might search for God, and perhaps grope for him and find him, though he is never far from any of us. For it is through union with him that we live and move and exist, as some of your poets have said, " 'For we are also his offspring.' So if we are God's children we ought not to imagine that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, wrought by human art and thought. While God overlooked those times of ignorance, he now calls upon all men everywhere to repent, since he has fixed a day on which he will justly judge the world through a man whom he has appointed, and whom he has guaranteed to all men by raising him from the dead."
nor is he waited on by human hands as though he were in need of anything, for he himself gives all men life and breath and everything. From one forefather he has created every nation of mankind, and made them live all over the face of the earth, fixing their appointed times and the limits of their lands, so that they might search for God, and perhaps grope for him and find him, though he is never far from any of us. For it is through union with him that we live and move and exist, as some of your poets have said, " 'For we are also his offspring.' So if we are God's children we ought not to imagine that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, wrought by human art and thought. While God overlooked those times of ignorance, he now calls upon all men everywhere to repent, since he has fixed a day on which he will justly judge the world through a man whom he has appointed, and whom he has guaranteed to all men by raising him from the dead."
Select readings » Judah's defense
Select readings » Paul and silas in prison
Once as we were on our way to the praying place a slave-girl met us who had the gift of ventriloquism, and made her masters a great deal of money by her fortune-telling. This girl would follow Paul and the rest of us, crying out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, and they are making known to you a way of salvation." She did this for a number of days, until Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit in her, "In the name of Jesus Christ I order you to come out of her!" And it came out instantly. read more.
But when her masters saw that their hopes of profits were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, dragged them to the public square, to the authorities, and brought them before the chief magistrates. "These men," they said, "are Jews, and they are making a great disturbance in our town. They are advocating practices which it is against the law for us as Romans to adopt or observe." The crowd also joined in the attack on them, and the magistrates had them stripped and beaten. After beating them severely, they put them in jail, and gave the jailer orders to keep close watch of them. He, having had such strict orders, put them into the inner cell, and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was such an earthquake that the jail shook to its foundations; all the doors flew open, and everybody's chains were unfastened. It woke up the jailer, and when he saw that the doors of the jail were open, he drew his sword and was just going to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted out, "Do not do yourself any harm! We are all here!" Then he called for lights and rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and said to them, "Gentlemen, what must I do to be saved?" "Believe in the Lord Jesus," they said, "and you and your household will be saved!" Then they told God's message to him and to all the members of his household. And right then in the night, he took them and washed their wounds, and he and all his household were baptized immediately. Then he took them up to his house and offered them food, and he and all his household were very happy over their new faith in God. In the morning the magistrates sent policemen with instructions to let the men go. The jailer reported this message to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent orders that you are to be released. So you can take your leave and go unmolested." But Paul said to them, "They had us beaten in public without giving us a trial, and put us in jail, although we are Roman citizens! And now are they going to dismiss us secretly? By no means! Have them come here themselves and take us out!" The policemen delivered this message to the magistrates, and they were alarmed when they heard that they were Roman citizens, and came and conciliated them, and took them out of the jail, and begged them to leave the town. After leaving the jail they went to Lydia's house, and saw the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left the town.
But when her masters saw that their hopes of profits were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, dragged them to the public square, to the authorities, and brought them before the chief magistrates. "These men," they said, "are Jews, and they are making a great disturbance in our town. They are advocating practices which it is against the law for us as Romans to adopt or observe." The crowd also joined in the attack on them, and the magistrates had them stripped and beaten. After beating them severely, they put them in jail, and gave the jailer orders to keep close watch of them. He, having had such strict orders, put them into the inner cell, and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was such an earthquake that the jail shook to its foundations; all the doors flew open, and everybody's chains were unfastened. It woke up the jailer, and when he saw that the doors of the jail were open, he drew his sword and was just going to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted out, "Do not do yourself any harm! We are all here!" Then he called for lights and rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and said to them, "Gentlemen, what must I do to be saved?" "Believe in the Lord Jesus," they said, "and you and your household will be saved!" Then they told God's message to him and to all the members of his household. And right then in the night, he took them and washed their wounds, and he and all his household were baptized immediately. Then he took them up to his house and offered them food, and he and all his household were very happy over their new faith in God. In the morning the magistrates sent policemen with instructions to let the men go. The jailer reported this message to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent orders that you are to be released. So you can take your leave and go unmolested." But Paul said to them, "They had us beaten in public without giving us a trial, and put us in jail, although we are Roman citizens! And now are they going to dismiss us secretly? By no means! Have them come here themselves and take us out!" The policemen delivered this message to the magistrates, and they were alarmed when they heard that they were Roman citizens, and came and conciliated them, and took them out of the jail, and begged them to leave the town. After leaving the jail they went to Lydia's house, and saw the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left the town.
Select readings » The majesty of God
Select readings » Song of moses when pharaoh and his army were overthrown
Select readings » The deliverance of the israelites from pharaoh
Select readings » The prophetic blessing of zacharias
And his father Zechariah was filled with the holy Spirit and he uttered a divine message, saying, "Blessings on the Lord, the God of Israel, Because he has turned his attention to his people, and brought about their deliverance, And he has produced a mighty Savior for us In the house of his servant David. read more.
"By the lips of his holy prophets he promised of old to do this??71 To save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us, Thus showing mercy to our forefathers, And keeping his sacred agreement, "And the oath that he swore to our forefather Abraham, That we should be delivered from the hands of our enemies, And should serve him in holiness and uprightness, unafraid, In his own presence all our lives. "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, For you will go before the Lord to make his way ready, Bringing his people the knowledge of salvation Through the forgiveness of their sins. "Because the heart of our God is merciful, And so the day will dawn upon us from on high, To shine on men who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, And guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew up and became strong in the Spirit, and he lived in the desert until the day when he proclaimed himself to Israel.
"By the lips of his holy prophets he promised of old to do this??71 To save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us, Thus showing mercy to our forefathers, And keeping his sacred agreement, "And the oath that he swore to our forefather Abraham, That we should be delivered from the hands of our enemies, And should serve him in holiness and uprightness, unafraid, In his own presence all our lives. "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, For you will go before the Lord to make his way ready, Bringing his people the knowledge of salvation Through the forgiveness of their sins. "Because the heart of our God is merciful, And so the day will dawn upon us from on high, To shine on men who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, And guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew up and became strong in the Spirit, and he lived in the desert until the day when he proclaimed himself to Israel.
Select readings » Joseph revealing his identity
Select readings » Mankind in extremity
Select readings » Mary's magnificat
And Mary said, "My heart extols the Lord, My spirit exults in God my Savior. For he has noticed his slave in her humble station, For from this time all the ages will think me favored! read more.
"For the Almighty has done wonders for me, How holy his name is! He shows his mercy age after age To those who fear him. "He has done mighty deeds with his arm, He has routed the proud-minded, He has dethroned monarchs and exalted the poor, He has satisfied the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty-handed. "He has helped his servant Israel, Remembering his mercy, As he promised our forefathers To have mercy on Abraham and his descendants forever!" So Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned home.
"For the Almighty has done wonders for me, How holy his name is! He shows his mercy age after age To those who fear him. "He has done mighty deeds with his arm, He has routed the proud-minded, He has dethroned monarchs and exalted the poor, He has satisfied the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty-handed. "He has helped his servant Israel, Remembering his mercy, As he promised our forefathers To have mercy on Abraham and his descendants forever!" So Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned home.
Select readings » God's providence
Look at the wild birds. They do not sow or reap, or store their food in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more account than they? But which of you with all his worry can add a single hour to his life? Why should you worry about clothing? See how the wild flowers grow. They do not toil or spin, read more.
and yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his splendor was never dressed like one of them. But if God so beautifully dresses the wild grass, which is alive today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more surely clothe you, you who have so little faith? So do not worry and say, 'What shall we have to eat?' or 'What shall we have to drink?' or 'What shall we have to wear?' For these are all things the heathen are in pursuit of, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need all this. But you must make his kingdom, and uprightness before him, your greatest care, and you will have all these other things besides. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries of its own. Let each day be content with its own ills.
and yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his splendor was never dressed like one of them. But if God so beautifully dresses the wild grass, which is alive today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more surely clothe you, you who have so little faith? So do not worry and say, 'What shall we have to eat?' or 'What shall we have to drink?' or 'What shall we have to wear?' For these are all things the heathen are in pursuit of, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need all this. But you must make his kingdom, and uprightness before him, your greatest care, and you will have all these other things besides. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries of its own. Let each day be content with its own ills.
Select readings » Naaman the leper
Select readings » The resurrection of jesus Christ
but on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking spices they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, and when they went inside they could not find the body. read more.
They were in great perplexity over this, when suddenly two men in dazzling clothing stood beside them. The women were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look among the dead for him who is alive? Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, when he said that the Son of Man must be handed over to wicked men and be crucified and rise again on the third day." Then they remembered his words, and they went back from the tomb and told all this to the eleven and all the rest. They were Mary of Magdala and Joanna and Mary, James's mother; and the other women also told this to the apostles. But the story seemed to them to be nonsense and they would not believe them. OMITTED TEXT
They were in great perplexity over this, when suddenly two men in dazzling clothing stood beside them. The women were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look among the dead for him who is alive? Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, when he said that the Son of Man must be handed over to wicked men and be crucified and rise again on the third day." Then they remembered his words, and they went back from the tomb and told all this to the eleven and all the rest. They were Mary of Magdala and Joanna and Mary, James's mother; and the other women also told this to the apostles. But the story seemed to them to be nonsense and they would not believe them. OMITTED TEXT
Select readings » Wise and foolish builders
It is not everyone who says to me 'Lord! Lord!' who will get into the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that Day, 'Lord! Lord! Was it not in your name that we prophesied, and by your name that we drove out demons, and by your name that we did many mighty acts?' Then I will say to them plainly, 'I never knew you! Go away from me, you who do wrong!' read more.
"Everyone, therefore, who listens to this teaching of mine and acts upon it, will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. And the rain fell, and the rivers rose, and the winds blew, and beat about that house, and it did not go down, for its foundations were on rock. And anyone who listens to this teaching of mine and does not act upon it, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. And the rain fell, and the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat about that house, and it went down, and its downfall was complete."
"Everyone, therefore, who listens to this teaching of mine and acts upon it, will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. And the rain fell, and the rivers rose, and the winds blew, and beat about that house, and it did not go down, for its foundations were on rock. And anyone who listens to this teaching of mine and does not act upon it, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. And the rain fell, and the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat about that house, and it went down, and its downfall was complete."
Select readings » Peter on the day of pentecost
On the day of the Harvest Festival, they were all meeting together, when suddenly there came from the sky a sound like a violent blast of wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And they saw tongues like flames separating and settling one on the head of each of them, read more.
and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to say in foreign languages whatever the Spirit prompted them to utter. Now there were devout Jews from every part of the world living in Jerusalem. And when this sound was heard, the crowd gathered in great excitement, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were perfectly amazed and said in their astonishment, "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears his own native tongue? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, of Judea and Cappadocia, of Pontus, and Asia, of Phrygia, and Pamphylia, of Egypt and the district of Africa about Cyrene, visitors from Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs??e all hear them tell in our native tongues the mighty deeds of God." And they were all amazed and bewildered and said to one another, "What can this mean?" But others said derisively, "They have had too much new wine!" Then Peter stood up with the eleven around him, and raising his voice addressed them. "Men of Judea," he said, "and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this to you, and pay attention to what I say. These men are not drunk as you suppose, for it is only nine in the morning. But this is what was predicted by the prophet Joel, " 'It will come about in the last days, God says, That I will pour out my Spirit upon all mankind; Your sons and daughters will become prophets, Your young men will have visions, And your old men will have dreams. Even on my slaves, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, And they will become prophets. I will show wonders in the sky above, And signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and thick smoke. The sun will turn to darkness, And the moon to blood, Before the coming of the great, splendid Day of the Lord. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' "Men of Israel, listen to what I say. Jesus of Nazareth, as you know, was a man whom God commended to you by the wonders, portents, and signs that God did right among you through him. But you, by the fixed purpose and intention of God, handed him over to wicked men, and had him crucified. But God set aside the pain of death and raised him up, for death could not control him. For David says of him, 'I constantly regarded the Lord before me, For he is at my right hand, so that I may not be displaced. Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices, And my body will still live in hope. For you will not desert my soul in death, You will not let your Holy One be destroyed. You have made the ways of life known to me, And you will fill me with joy in your presence.' "Brothers, one may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his grave is here among us to this very day. But as he was a prophet, and knew that God had promised him with an oath that he would put one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw the resurrection of the Christ and told of it, for he was not deserted in death and his body was not destroyed. He is Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and to whose resurrection we are all witnesses. So he has been exalted to God's right hand, and has received from his Father and poured over us the holy Spirit that had been promised, as you see and hear. "For David did not go up to heaven, but he said, 'The Lord said to my lord, Sit at my right hand, Until I make your enemies your footstool.' "Therefore the whole nation of Israel must understand that God has declared this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ."
and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to say in foreign languages whatever the Spirit prompted them to utter. Now there were devout Jews from every part of the world living in Jerusalem. And when this sound was heard, the crowd gathered in great excitement, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were perfectly amazed and said in their astonishment, "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears his own native tongue? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, of Judea and Cappadocia, of Pontus, and Asia, of Phrygia, and Pamphylia, of Egypt and the district of Africa about Cyrene, visitors from Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs??e all hear them tell in our native tongues the mighty deeds of God." And they were all amazed and bewildered and said to one another, "What can this mean?" But others said derisively, "They have had too much new wine!" Then Peter stood up with the eleven around him, and raising his voice addressed them. "Men of Judea," he said, "and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this to you, and pay attention to what I say. These men are not drunk as you suppose, for it is only nine in the morning. But this is what was predicted by the prophet Joel, " 'It will come about in the last days, God says, That I will pour out my Spirit upon all mankind; Your sons and daughters will become prophets, Your young men will have visions, And your old men will have dreams. Even on my slaves, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, And they will become prophets. I will show wonders in the sky above, And signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and thick smoke. The sun will turn to darkness, And the moon to blood, Before the coming of the great, splendid Day of the Lord. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' "Men of Israel, listen to what I say. Jesus of Nazareth, as you know, was a man whom God commended to you by the wonders, portents, and signs that God did right among you through him. But you, by the fixed purpose and intention of God, handed him over to wicked men, and had him crucified. But God set aside the pain of death and raised him up, for death could not control him. For David says of him, 'I constantly regarded the Lord before me, For he is at my right hand, so that I may not be displaced. Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices, And my body will still live in hope. For you will not desert my soul in death, You will not let your Holy One be destroyed. You have made the ways of life known to me, And you will fill me with joy in your presence.' "Brothers, one may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his grave is here among us to this very day. But as he was a prophet, and knew that God had promised him with an oath that he would put one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw the resurrection of the Christ and told of it, for he was not deserted in death and his body was not destroyed. He is Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and to whose resurrection we are all witnesses. So he has been exalted to God's right hand, and has received from his Father and poured over us the holy Spirit that had been promised, as you see and hear. "For David did not go up to heaven, but he said, 'The Lord said to my lord, Sit at my right hand, Until I make your enemies your footstool.' "Therefore the whole nation of Israel must understand that God has declared this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ."
Select readings » Elisha and the widow's oil
Select readings » Stephen's defense
The high priest said, "Is this statement true?" He answered, "Brothers and fathers, listen. The glorious God appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran, and he said to him, 'Leave your country and your relatives and come to the country that I will show you.' read more.
So he left the country of the Chaldeans and went to live in Haran, and from there after the death of his father, God caused him to move into this country where you now live. He gave him no property in it, not a single foot, but he promised to give it to him and his posterity after him permanently, though he had no children at that time. This was what God said: 'His descendants will be strangers, living in a foreign land, and they will be enslaved and misused for four hundred years, and I will sentence the nation that has enslaved them,' God said, 'and afterward they will leave that country and worship me on this spot.' And he made the agreement of circumcision with him, and so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him, and rescued him from all his troubles, and enabled him to win favor and to show wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he appointed him governor of Egypt and of his whole household. Then a famine spread all over Egypt and Canaan, and there was great suffering, and our forefathers could not find any food. But Jacob heard that there was food in Egypt, and he sent our forefathers on their first visit there. On their second visit, Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Pharaoh learned of Joseph's parentage. Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all, and Jacob came down to Egypt. There he and our forefathers died, and they were carried back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. As the time drew near for the fulfilment of the promise God had made to Abraham, the people became more and more numerous in Egypt, until another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. He took advantage of our people and oppressed our forefathers, making them abandon their infant children, so that they should not live. It was at this time that Moses was born. He was a wonderfully beautiful child, and for three months he was taken care of in his father's house. When he was abandoned, the daughter of Pharaoh adopted him and brought him up as her own son. So Moses was educated in all the Egyptian culture; he was strong in speech and action. When he was forty years old, it occurred to him to visit his brothers, the descendants of Israel. Seeing one of them being imposed upon, he interfered and defended the man who was being ill treated, striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was using him as the means of delivering them, but they did not. The next day, he came across two of them fighting and tried to pacify them. He said to them, 'You are brothers. Why should you injure each other?' But the aggressor thrust him off, saying, 'Who made you our ruler and judge? Do you mean to kill me as you did that Egyptian yesterday?' At those words Moses fled, and went and lived for a time in Midian, and two sons were born to him there. When forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the desert of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. When Moses saw it he wondered at the sight, and when he went up to see what it was, the voice of the Lord said, 'I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' Moses was terrified and did not dare to look at it. Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your shoes, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have seen all the oppression of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their groans, and I have come down to save them. So come! I will make you my messenger to Egypt!' The Moses whom they had refused, saying to him, 'Who made you our ruler and judge?' God sent both to rule and to deliver them, with the help of the angel who had appeared to him in the bush. It was he who brought them out of Egypt, and did wonders and signs there, and at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the desert. This was the Moses who said to the descendants of Israel, 'God will make a prophet rise from among your brothers to teach you, just as he made me rise.' It was he who with the congregation in the desert went between the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and our forefathers, and received and communicated to you utterances that still live. Yet our forefathers would not listen to him, but thrust him off, and their hearts turned back to Egypt, for they said to Aaron, 'Make us gods to march in front of us, for as for this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him!' They even made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to their idol, and held a celebration over what their own hands had made. So God turned his back on them and left them to worship the starry host, just as the Book of the Prophets says, " 'Was it victims and sacrifices that you offered to me, O house of Israel, Those forty years in the desert? You offered me the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rompha, The images you had made to worship! So I will deport you beyond Babylon.' In the desert our forefathers had the Tent of the Testimony built like the model Moses had seen, just as he who spoke to him told him to make it. This tent was handed down to our forefathers and they brought it here with them when under Joshua they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before them, and it existed until the time of David. He won the approval of God and begged to be allowed to provide a dwelling for the God of Jacob, and Solomon actually built a house for him. But the Most High does not live in buildings made by human hands. As the prophet says, " 'The sky is my throne, And the earth a footstool for my feet. What house can you build for me? says the Lord, Or what place is there where I can rest? Was it not my hand that made it all?' You stubborn people, with heathen hearts and ears, you are always opposing the holy Spirit, just as your forefathers did! Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? They killed the men who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and killed??53 you who had the Law given to you by angels, and did not obey it!" When they heard that, they were enraged and ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God's glory and Jesus standing at God's right hand. And he said, "Look! I can see heaven open, and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand!"
So he left the country of the Chaldeans and went to live in Haran, and from there after the death of his father, God caused him to move into this country where you now live. He gave him no property in it, not a single foot, but he promised to give it to him and his posterity after him permanently, though he had no children at that time. This was what God said: 'His descendants will be strangers, living in a foreign land, and they will be enslaved and misused for four hundred years, and I will sentence the nation that has enslaved them,' God said, 'and afterward they will leave that country and worship me on this spot.' And he made the agreement of circumcision with him, and so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him, and rescued him from all his troubles, and enabled him to win favor and to show wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he appointed him governor of Egypt and of his whole household. Then a famine spread all over Egypt and Canaan, and there was great suffering, and our forefathers could not find any food. But Jacob heard that there was food in Egypt, and he sent our forefathers on their first visit there. On their second visit, Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Pharaoh learned of Joseph's parentage. Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all, and Jacob came down to Egypt. There he and our forefathers died, and they were carried back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. As the time drew near for the fulfilment of the promise God had made to Abraham, the people became more and more numerous in Egypt, until another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt. He took advantage of our people and oppressed our forefathers, making them abandon their infant children, so that they should not live. It was at this time that Moses was born. He was a wonderfully beautiful child, and for three months he was taken care of in his father's house. When he was abandoned, the daughter of Pharaoh adopted him and brought him up as her own son. So Moses was educated in all the Egyptian culture; he was strong in speech and action. When he was forty years old, it occurred to him to visit his brothers, the descendants of Israel. Seeing one of them being imposed upon, he interfered and defended the man who was being ill treated, striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was using him as the means of delivering them, but they did not. The next day, he came across two of them fighting and tried to pacify them. He said to them, 'You are brothers. Why should you injure each other?' But the aggressor thrust him off, saying, 'Who made you our ruler and judge? Do you mean to kill me as you did that Egyptian yesterday?' At those words Moses fled, and went and lived for a time in Midian, and two sons were born to him there. When forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the desert of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. When Moses saw it he wondered at the sight, and when he went up to see what it was, the voice of the Lord said, 'I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' Moses was terrified and did not dare to look at it. Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your shoes, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have seen all the oppression of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their groans, and I have come down to save them. So come! I will make you my messenger to Egypt!' The Moses whom they had refused, saying to him, 'Who made you our ruler and judge?' God sent both to rule and to deliver them, with the help of the angel who had appeared to him in the bush. It was he who brought them out of Egypt, and did wonders and signs there, and at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the desert. This was the Moses who said to the descendants of Israel, 'God will make a prophet rise from among your brothers to teach you, just as he made me rise.' It was he who with the congregation in the desert went between the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and our forefathers, and received and communicated to you utterances that still live. Yet our forefathers would not listen to him, but thrust him off, and their hearts turned back to Egypt, for they said to Aaron, 'Make us gods to march in front of us, for as for this Moses, who brought us out of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him!' They even made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to their idol, and held a celebration over what their own hands had made. So God turned his back on them and left them to worship the starry host, just as the Book of the Prophets says, " 'Was it victims and sacrifices that you offered to me, O house of Israel, Those forty years in the desert? You offered me the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rompha, The images you had made to worship! So I will deport you beyond Babylon.' In the desert our forefathers had the Tent of the Testimony built like the model Moses had seen, just as he who spoke to him told him to make it. This tent was handed down to our forefathers and they brought it here with them when under Joshua they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before them, and it existed until the time of David. He won the approval of God and begged to be allowed to provide a dwelling for the God of Jacob, and Solomon actually built a house for him. But the Most High does not live in buildings made by human hands. As the prophet says, " 'The sky is my throne, And the earth a footstool for my feet. What house can you build for me? says the Lord, Or what place is there where I can rest? Was it not my hand that made it all?' You stubborn people, with heathen hearts and ears, you are always opposing the holy Spirit, just as your forefathers did! Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? They killed the men who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and killed??53 you who had the Law given to you by angels, and did not obey it!" When they heard that, they were enraged and ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God's glory and Jesus standing at God's right hand. And he said, "Look! I can see heaven open, and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand!"
Select readings » The beatitudes
When he saw the crowds of people he went up on the mountain. There he seated himself, and when his disciples had come up to him, he opened his lips to teach them. And he said, "Blessed are those who feel their spiritual need, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them! read more.
"Blessed are the mourners, for they will be consoled! "Blessed are the humble-minded, for they will possess the land! "Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for uprightness, for they will be satisfied! "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy! "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God! "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called God's sons! "Blessed are those who have endured persecution for their uprightness, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them! "Blessed are you when people abuse you, and persecute you, and falsely say everything bad of you, on my account. Be glad and exult over it, for you will be richly rewarded in heaven, for that is the way they persecuted the prophets who went before you! "You are the salt of the earth! But if salt loses its strength, how can it be made salt again? It is good for nothing but to be thrown away and trodden underfoot. You are the light of the world! A city that is built upon a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a peck-measure; they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. Your light must burn in that way among men so that they will see the good you do, and praise your Father in heaven.
"Blessed are the mourners, for they will be consoled! "Blessed are the humble-minded, for they will possess the land! "Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for uprightness, for they will be satisfied! "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy! "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God! "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called God's sons! "Blessed are those who have endured persecution for their uprightness, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them! "Blessed are you when people abuse you, and persecute you, and falsely say everything bad of you, on my account. Be glad and exult over it, for you will be richly rewarded in heaven, for that is the way they persecuted the prophets who went before you! "You are the salt of the earth! But if salt loses its strength, how can it be made salt again? It is good for nothing but to be thrown away and trodden underfoot. You are the light of the world! A city that is built upon a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a peck-measure; they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. Your light must burn in that way among men so that they will see the good you do, and praise your Father in heaven.
Select readings » Old age
Select readings » The wrath of God
Select readings » Esther's triumph
Select readings » The omnipotence and incomparableness of God
Select readings » The majesty and providence of God
Select readings » Christ's kingdom foreshadowed
Select readings » The animals of the field
Select readings » God's challenge to job
Select readings » Nature's testimony
Select readings » In captivity
Select readings » The omnipresence of God
Select readings » Charity
Select readings » The new heaven and the new earth
Select readings » Paul in front of governor felix
Select readings » Paul in front of agrippa
Select readings » The joy of the righteous
Select readings » The state of the Godly
Select readings » Confidence in God
Select readings » The king of glory
Select readings » God, our refuge
Select readings » The new song
Select readings » The river of life
Select readings » God, Glory of
Select readings » The righteous and the wicked in contrast
Select readings » The triumphant king
Select readings » Lights and shadows
Select readings » Mankind in nature
United prayer » Select readings
Once as he was praying in a certain place, when he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, "Master, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Father, your name be revered! Your kingdom come! Give us each day our bread for the day, read more.
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
He gave them an illustration to show that they must always pray and not give up, and he said, "There was once in a city a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for men. There was a widow in the city and she came to him and said, 'Protect me from my opponent.' read more.
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Unwise prayers » Select readings
Once as he was praying in a certain place, when he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, "Master, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Father, your name be revered! Your kingdom come! Give us each day our bread for the day, read more.
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive anyone who wrongs us; and do not subject us to temptation.' " And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night, and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has just come to my house after a journey, and I have nothing for him to eat,' and he answers from inside, 'Do not bother me; the door is now fastened, and my children and I have gone to bed; I cannot get up and give you any.' I tell you, even if he will not get up and give him some because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him all he needs. So I tell you, ask, and what you ask will be given you. Search, and you will find what you search for. Knock, and the door will open to you. For it is always the one who asks who receives, and the one who searches who finds, and the one who knocks to whom the door opens. Which of you fathers, if his son asks him for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give your children what is good, how much more surely will your Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him for it!"
He gave them an illustration to show that they must always pray and not give up, and he said, "There was once in a city a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for men. There was a widow in the city and she came to him and said, 'Protect me from my opponent.' read more.
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God nor respect for men, yet because this widow bothers me, I will protect her, so that she may not finally wear me out with her coming.' " And the Master said, "Listen to what this dishonest judge said! Then will not God provide protection for his chosen people, who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will make haste to provide it! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Wealth » Accumulation of » Select readings
And he told them this story: "A certain rich man's lands yielded heavily. And he said to himself, 'What am I going to do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' Then he said, 'This is what I will do; I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and in them I will store all my grain and my goods. read more.
And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have great wealth stored up for years to come. Now take your ease; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself." ' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul will be demanded of you. Then who will have all you have prepared?' That is the way with the man who lays up money for himself, and is not rich with God."
And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have great wealth stored up for years to come. Now take your ease; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself." ' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul will be demanded of you. Then who will have all you have prepared?' That is the way with the man who lays up money for himself, and is not rich with God."
"There was once a rich man, who used to dress in purple and fine linen, and to live in luxury every day. And a beggar named Lazarus was put down at his gate covered with sores and eager to satisfy his hunger with what was thrown away from the rich man's table. Why, the very dogs came and licked his sores. read more.
And it came about that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to the companionship of Abraham, and the rich man too died and was buried. And in Hades he looked up, tormented as he was, and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus beside him. And he called to him and said, 'Father Abraham! take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in torment, here in the flames!' And Abraham said, 'My child, remember that you received your blessings in your lifetime, and Lazarus had his misfortunes in his; and now he is being comforted here, while you are in anguish. Besides there is a great chasm set between you and us, so that those who want to go over from this side to you cannot, and they cannot cross from your side to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers; let him warn them so that they will not also come to this place of torture.' Abraham answered, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.' But he said, 'No! Father Abraham, but if someone will go to them from the dead, they will repent!' He answered, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!' "
And it came about that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to the companionship of Abraham, and the rich man too died and was buried. And in Hades he looked up, tormented as he was, and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus beside him. And he called to him and said, 'Father Abraham! take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in torment, here in the flames!' And Abraham said, 'My child, remember that you received your blessings in your lifetime, and Lazarus had his misfortunes in his; and now he is being comforted here, while you are in anguish. Besides there is a great chasm set between you and us, so that those who want to go over from this side to you cannot, and they cannot cross from your side to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers; let him warn them so that they will not also come to this place of torture.' Abraham answered, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.' But he said, 'No! Father Abraham, but if someone will go to them from the dead, they will repent!' He answered, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!' "