Thematic Bible: Select readings
Thematic Bible
Christ » Devotions of » Select readings
And it came to pass, as he was in a certain place praying, that when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Father, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; give us day by day our daily bread; read more.
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
And he spoke a parable to them to show that they ought to pray always, and not be fainthearted: saying, There was in a certain city a judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary! read more.
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
Daily duty » Select readings
See that none render evil for evil to any one; but ever follow that which is good, both toward one another and toward all. Be always joyful. Pray without ceasing; read more.
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus in regard to you. Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings, but prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved whole, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he who calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord, that this letter be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus in regard to you. Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings, but prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved whole, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he who calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord, that this letter be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The Dead » Resurrection of » Select readings
But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are sleeping, that ye may not sorrow, as others do, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then also will God, through Jesus, bring again with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we say to you in the word of the Lord, that we who are living, we who are left till the coming of the Lord, shall not anticipate those who have fallen asleep. read more.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a loud summons, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are living, we who are left, shall be caught up together with them in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we be ever with the Lord. So then comfort one another with these words.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a loud summons, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are living, we who are left, shall be caught up together with them in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we be ever with the Lord. So then comfort one another with these words.
But there was a certain man sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. read more.
And Jesus hearing this said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When therefore he heard that he was sick, he remained in the place where he was two days. Then after this he saith to the disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. The disciples say to him, Rabbi, the Jews but just now were seeking to stone thee, and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world; but if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth; because the light is not in him. This he spoke, and afterwards said to them, Our friend Lazarus hath fallen asleep; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. The disciples therefore said to him, Lord, if he hath fallen asleep, he will recover. But Jesus had spoken of his death; but they thought that he spoke of the taking of rest in sleep. Then therefore Jesus said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there; that ye may believe; but let us go to him. Then said Thomas, who was called Didymus, to his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Having come, therefore, Jesus found that he had been four days in the tomb. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet him; but Mary continued sitting in the house. Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; and even now I know that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith to her, Thy brother will rise again. Martha saith to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he have died, will live; and whoever liveth and believeth in me will never die. Believest thou this? She saith to him, Yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, he who was to come into the world. And having said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Teacher is here and calleth for thee. She, when she heard this, riseth quickly and cometh to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was still in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then who were with her in the house and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up hastily and went out, followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was, as soon as she saw him fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus therefore when he saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, was greatly moved in his spirit, and much troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They say to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said, See, how he loved him! But some of them said, Could not he, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have also caused that this man should not have died? Jesus therefore, again greatly moved within himself, cometh to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus saith, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him, Lord, by this time the body is offensive; for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith to her, Did I not tell thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? They therefore took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father! I thank thee that thou hast heard me. Yet I knew that thou hearest me always; but for the sake of the multitude standing around I said it, that they might believe that thou didst send me. And having thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth! He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, Loose him, and let him go.
And Jesus hearing this said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When therefore he heard that he was sick, he remained in the place where he was two days. Then after this he saith to the disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. The disciples say to him, Rabbi, the Jews but just now were seeking to stone thee, and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world; but if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth; because the light is not in him. This he spoke, and afterwards said to them, Our friend Lazarus hath fallen asleep; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. The disciples therefore said to him, Lord, if he hath fallen asleep, he will recover. But Jesus had spoken of his death; but they thought that he spoke of the taking of rest in sleep. Then therefore Jesus said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there; that ye may believe; but let us go to him. Then said Thomas, who was called Didymus, to his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Having come, therefore, Jesus found that he had been four days in the tomb. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet him; but Mary continued sitting in the house. Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; and even now I know that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith to her, Thy brother will rise again. Martha saith to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he have died, will live; and whoever liveth and believeth in me will never die. Believest thou this? She saith to him, Yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, he who was to come into the world. And having said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Teacher is here and calleth for thee. She, when she heard this, riseth quickly and cometh to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was still in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then who were with her in the house and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up hastily and went out, followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was, as soon as she saw him fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus therefore when he saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, was greatly moved in his spirit, and much troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They say to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said, See, how he loved him! But some of them said, Could not he, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have also caused that this man should not have died? Jesus therefore, again greatly moved within himself, cometh to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus saith, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him, Lord, by this time the body is offensive; for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith to her, Did I not tell thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? They therefore took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father! I thank thee that thou hast heard me. Yet I knew that thou hearest me always; but for the sake of the multitude standing around I said it, that they might believe that thou didst send me. And having thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth! He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, Loose him, and let him go.
And when the sabbath was past, Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun. And they said to one another, Who will roll away for us the stone from the door of the tomb? read more.
And looking up they see that the stone had been rolled back; for it was very large. And they entered the tomb, and saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. But he saith to them, Be not affrighted; ye seek Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified; he hath risen; he is not here; behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, that he is going before you into Galilee; there ye will see him, as he said to you. And they went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to any one; for they were terrified. {The remaining twelve verses, according to Tischendorf and others, made originally no part of Marks Gospel. As the passage was added very early, however, since it is referred to by Irenaeus in the latter part of the second century, it is here given, as an appendix.} [And having risen early, on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary the Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons. She went and reported it to those who had been with him, who were mourning and weeping. And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe. After this, he manifested himself in another form to two of them as they walked, going into the country. And they went and reported it to the rest; and even them they did not believe. Afterward he manifested himself to the eleven themselves, as they were reclining at table, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
And looking up they see that the stone had been rolled back; for it was very large. And they entered the tomb, and saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. But he saith to them, Be not affrighted; ye seek Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified; he hath risen; he is not here; behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, that he is going before you into Galilee; there ye will see him, as he said to you. And they went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to any one; for they were terrified. {The remaining twelve verses, according to Tischendorf and others, made originally no part of Marks Gospel. As the passage was added very early, however, since it is referred to by Irenaeus in the latter part of the second century, it is here given, as an appendix.} [And having risen early, on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary the Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons. She went and reported it to those who had been with him, who were mourning and weeping. And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe. After this, he manifested himself in another form to two of them as they walked, going into the country. And they went and reported it to the rest; and even them they did not believe. Afterward he manifested himself to the eleven themselves, as they were reclining at table, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb; and on entering they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. read more.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about this, lo! two men stood by them in glittering apparel; and when they were terrified, and bowed their faces to the earth, the men said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but hath risen. Remember how be spoke to you while yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinners, and be crucified, and rise again on the third day. And they remembered his words. And returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary the Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; and the other women with them told these things to the apostles. And these words seemed to them as an idle tale, and they did not believe them. (...) And lo! two of them were going the same day to a village called Emmaus, distant a hundred and sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they were conversing together about all those things which had taken place. And it came to pass, while they were conversing and reasoning, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were restrained from knowing him. And he said to them, What discourse is this which ye have one with another, as ye are walking? And they stood sad. And one, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him, Art thou the only sojourner in Jerusalem that doth not know the things which have come to pass there in these days? And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things relating to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in word and deed before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we are hoping that it is he who is to redeem Israel; moreover, besides all this, it is the third day since these things were done. And furthermore certain women of our company have amazed us; for going early to the tomb, they did not find his body, and came, saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it to be as the women had said; but him they saw not. And he said to them, O dull of apprehension, and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things, and enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew near to the village whither they were going; and he made as though he would go further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to stay with them. And it came to pass, as he was at table with them, that he took the bread, and blessed it, and broke and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us on the way, while he opened to us the Scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, The Lord hath risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what had happened on the way, and how he became known to them in the breaking of the bread. And while they were thus speaking, he himself stood in the midst of them. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. And he said to them, Why are ye troubled? and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (...) And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, Have ye anything here to eat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. And he took and ate it before them. And he said to them, These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which are written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and should rise from the dead on the third day,
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about this, lo! two men stood by them in glittering apparel; and when they were terrified, and bowed their faces to the earth, the men said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but hath risen. Remember how be spoke to you while yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinners, and be crucified, and rise again on the third day. And they remembered his words. And returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary the Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; and the other women with them told these things to the apostles. And these words seemed to them as an idle tale, and they did not believe them. (...) And lo! two of them were going the same day to a village called Emmaus, distant a hundred and sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they were conversing together about all those things which had taken place. And it came to pass, while they were conversing and reasoning, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were restrained from knowing him. And he said to them, What discourse is this which ye have one with another, as ye are walking? And they stood sad. And one, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him, Art thou the only sojourner in Jerusalem that doth not know the things which have come to pass there in these days? And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things relating to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in word and deed before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we are hoping that it is he who is to redeem Israel; moreover, besides all this, it is the third day since these things were done. And furthermore certain women of our company have amazed us; for going early to the tomb, they did not find his body, and came, saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it to be as the women had said; but him they saw not. And he said to them, O dull of apprehension, and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things, and enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew near to the village whither they were going; and he made as though he would go further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to stay with them. And it came to pass, as he was at table with them, that he took the bread, and blessed it, and broke and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us on the way, while he opened to us the Scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, The Lord hath risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what had happened on the way, and how he became known to them in the breaking of the bread. And while they were thus speaking, he himself stood in the midst of them. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. And he said to them, Why are ye troubled? and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (...) And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, Have ye anything here to eat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. And he took and ate it before them. And he said to them, These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which are written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and should rise from the dead on the third day,
God » Wisdom of » Select readings
spiritual Growth » Encouraged » Select readings
Of whom we have much to say, and hard to be explained, seeing ye have become dull of hearing. For while on account of the length of time ye ought to be teachers, ye again have need that some one should teach you the first elements of the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that feedeth on milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness; for he is a babe; read more.
but solid food belongs to those who are of full age, who by use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
but solid food belongs to those who are of full age, who by use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Let us then, leaving the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, press on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of the laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of everlasting judgment. And this we will do, if God permit. read more.
For it is impossible that those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and been make partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, and have fallen away, should again be renewed to repentance, since they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame. For the earth which hath drunk in the rain that cometh often upon it, and beareth plants useful to those for whose sake it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God; but if it bear thorns and briers it is disapproved, and is near to being accursed; and its end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that are connected with salvation, though we do thus speak. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work, and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered and are still ministering to the saints. But we earnestly desire that every one of you may show the same diligence with regard to the full assurance of your hope even to the end; that ye may not become slothful, but imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." And so, having endured with patience, he obtained the promised blessing. For men indeed swear by one who is greater, and the oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
For it is impossible that those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and been make partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, and have fallen away, should again be renewed to repentance, since they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame. For the earth which hath drunk in the rain that cometh often upon it, and beareth plants useful to those for whose sake it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God; but if it bear thorns and briers it is disapproved, and is near to being accursed; and its end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that are connected with salvation, though we do thus speak. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work, and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered and are still ministering to the saints. But we earnestly desire that every one of you may show the same diligence with regard to the full assurance of your hope even to the end; that ye may not become slothful, but imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." And so, having endured with patience, he obtained the promised blessing. For men indeed swear by one who is greater, and the oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Heavenly » Home heavenly home the final dwelling place of the saints » Select readings
And I say to you, Make to yourselves friends with the unrighteous mammon; that, when it faileth, ye may be received into everlasting habitations.
Verse Concepts
Importunity » Select readings
And it came to pass, as he was in a certain place praying, that when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Father, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; give us day by day our daily bread; read more.
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
And he spoke a parable to them to show that they ought to pray always, and not be fainthearted: saying, There was in a certain city a judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary! read more.
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
Prayer » Select readings
And it came to pass, as he was in a certain place praying, that when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Father, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; give us day by day our daily bread; read more.
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
And he spoke a parable to them to show that they ought to pray always, and not be fainthearted: saying, There was in a certain city a judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary! read more.
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
Select readings » The raising of lazarus
But there was a certain man sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet him; but Mary continued sitting in the house. read more.
Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; and even now I know that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith to her, Thy brother will rise again. Martha saith to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he have died, will live; and whoever liveth and believeth in me will never die. Believest thou this? She saith to him, Yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, he who was to come into the world. And having said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Teacher is here and calleth for thee. She, when she heard this, riseth quickly and cometh to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was still in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then who were with her in the house and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up hastily and went out, followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was, as soon as she saw him fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus therefore when he saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, was greatly moved in his spirit, and much troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They say to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said, See, how he loved him! But some of them said, Could not he, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have also caused that this man should not have died? Jesus therefore, again greatly moved within himself, cometh to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus saith, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him, Lord, by this time the body is offensive; for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith to her, Did I not tell thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? They therefore took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father! I thank thee that thou hast heard me. Yet I knew that thou hearest me always; but for the sake of the multitude standing around I said it, that they might believe that thou didst send me. And having thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth! He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, Loose him, and let him go. Many of the Jews therefore who had come to Mary, and had seen what he did, believed in him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; and even now I know that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith to her, Thy brother will rise again. Martha saith to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he have died, will live; and whoever liveth and believeth in me will never die. Believest thou this? She saith to him, Yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, he who was to come into the world. And having said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Teacher is here and calleth for thee. She, when she heard this, riseth quickly and cometh to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was still in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then who were with her in the house and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up hastily and went out, followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was, as soon as she saw him fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus therefore when he saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, was greatly moved in his spirit, and much troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They say to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said, See, how he loved him! But some of them said, Could not he, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have also caused that this man should not have died? Jesus therefore, again greatly moved within himself, cometh to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus saith, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him, Lord, by this time the body is offensive; for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith to her, Did I not tell thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? They therefore took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father! I thank thee that thou hast heard me. Yet I knew that thou hearest me always; but for the sake of the multitude standing around I said it, that they might believe that thou didst send me. And having thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth! He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, Loose him, and let him go. Many of the Jews therefore who had come to Mary, and had seen what he did, believed in him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
Select readings » David's lament over absalom
Select readings » The betrayal of jesus by judas iscariot
While he was yet speaking, lo! a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, was at the head of them; and he drew near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss? And they who were about him, seeing what would follow, said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? read more.
And one of them smote the servant of the highpriest, and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering said, Permit thus far; and touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders who had come to him, Ye have come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs; when I was daily with you in the temple, ye did not put forth your hands against me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the house of the highpriest. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maidservant saw him sitting at the fire, and steadily looking at him said, This man also was with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I do not know him. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And in about one hours time, another confidently affirmed, saying, In truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he was yet speaking, a cock crew. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, that he had said to him, Before a cock crows this day, thou wilt thrice deny me. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
And one of them smote the servant of the highpriest, and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering said, Permit thus far; and touched his ear, and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders who had come to him, Ye have come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs; when I was daily with you in the temple, ye did not put forth your hands against me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the house of the highpriest. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maidservant saw him sitting at the fire, and steadily looking at him said, This man also was with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I do not know him. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And in about one hours time, another confidently affirmed, saying, In truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he was yet speaking, a cock crew. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, that he had said to him, Before a cock crows this day, thou wilt thrice deny me. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Select readings » The parable of the good samaritan
And lo! a certain lawyer stood up to try him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit everlasting life? And he said to him, What is written in the Law? How readest thou? And he answering said "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." read more.
And he said to him, Thou hast answered rightly; do this, and thou shalt live. But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Jesus answering said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; who after stripping him of his raiment, and wounding him, departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance a certain priest was going down on that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And in like manner also a Levite, having arrived at the place, came and saw, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he was journeying, came where he was, and when he saw him, had compassion, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and setting him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day, he took out two denaries and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatever thou spendest more, I, when I come back, will repay thee. Which of these three, dost thou think, was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers? And he said, He that took pity on him. Then said Jesus to him, Go, and do thou likewise.
And he said to him, Thou hast answered rightly; do this, and thou shalt live. But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Jesus answering said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; who after stripping him of his raiment, and wounding him, departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance a certain priest was going down on that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And in like manner also a Levite, having arrived at the place, came and saw, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he was journeying, came where he was, and when he saw him, had compassion, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and setting him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day, he took out two denaries and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatever thou spendest more, I, when I come back, will repay thee. Which of these three, dost thou think, was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers? And he said, He that took pity on him. Then said Jesus to him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Select readings » Elijah's miraculous preservation
Select readings » The parable of the prodigal son
He said also, A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of the property that falleth to me. And he divided to them his living. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and went abroad into a far country; and there wasted his substance in riotous living. read more.
And when he had spent all, there arose a great famine in that country; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he longed to fill himself with the husks that the swine ate; and no one gave to him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my fathers have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee; I am no longer worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and went to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee; I am no longer worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf; kill it, and let us eat and make merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And calling one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant. And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. But he was angry, and would not go in; and his father came out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo! for so many years have I served thee, and never transgressed thy command; and yet to me thou never gavest a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this thy son came, who devoured thy living with harlots, thou didst kill for him the fatted calf. And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
And when he had spent all, there arose a great famine in that country; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he longed to fill himself with the husks that the swine ate; and no one gave to him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my fathers have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee; I am no longer worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and went to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee; I am no longer worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf; kill it, and let us eat and make merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And calling one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant. And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. But he was angry, and would not go in; and his father came out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo! for so many years have I served thee, and never transgressed thy command; and yet to me thou never gavest a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this thy son came, who devoured thy living with harlots, thou didst kill for him the fatted calf. And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
Select readings » The brevity of life
Select readings » Paul on mars' hill
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said, Men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very devout. For while passing along and observing your objects of worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, "To an unknown God." What therefore ye, without knowledge of it, worship, that do I make known to you. The God who made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; read more.
nor doth he receive service at the hands of men, as though he needed anything, since it is he that giveth to all life and breath and all things. And he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having fixed appointed times, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as also some of your own poets have said: "For we are also his offspring." Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Deity is like to gold or silver or stone, graven by the art and device of man. The times indeed of ignorance God overlooked; but now commandeth all men every where to repent; inasmuch as he hath fixed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he hath appointed; having given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
nor doth he receive service at the hands of men, as though he needed anything, since it is he that giveth to all life and breath and all things. And he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having fixed appointed times, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as also some of your own poets have said: "For we are also his offspring." Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Deity is like to gold or silver or stone, graven by the art and device of man. The times indeed of ignorance God overlooked; but now commandeth all men every where to repent; inasmuch as he hath fixed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he hath appointed; having given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
Select readings » Judah's defense
Select readings » Paul and silas in prison
And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain bondmaid having a soothsaying spirit met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. This woman followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, who announce to you the way of salvation. And this she did for many days. But Paul, being much displeased, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out immediately. read more.
But her masters seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, laid hold of Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace to the rulers; and having brought them before the magistrates, said, These men are grievously disturbing our city, being Jews; and they teach customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to receive or observe. And the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates, tearing off their clothes, commanded to beat them with rods; and when they had laid on them many stripes, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely; who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas praying, were singing praises to God; and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and all the doors were immediately opened, and the bands of all were loosed. And the jailer awakening out of sleep, and seeing the prisondoors open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas; and having brought them out, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou wilt be saved, and thy household. And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them with him at that hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and he was immediately baptized, himself and all that belonged to him. And when he had brought them up into his house, he set food before them, and rejoiced with all his house, having become a believer in God. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Release those men. And the jailer reported these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to release you; now therefore come out, and go in peace. But Paul said to them, They have publicly beaten us uncondemned, although we are Romans, and have thrust us into prison; and now do they thrust us out secretly? No; but let them come themselves, and bring us out. And the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates; and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they entreated them to leave the city. And when they had come out of the prison, they went into the house of Lydia; and when they saw the brethren, they exhorted them, and departed.
But her masters seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, laid hold of Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace to the rulers; and having brought them before the magistrates, said, These men are grievously disturbing our city, being Jews; and they teach customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to receive or observe. And the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates, tearing off their clothes, commanded to beat them with rods; and when they had laid on them many stripes, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely; who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas praying, were singing praises to God; and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and all the doors were immediately opened, and the bands of all were loosed. And the jailer awakening out of sleep, and seeing the prisondoors open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas; and having brought them out, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou wilt be saved, and thy household. And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them with him at that hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and he was immediately baptized, himself and all that belonged to him. And when he had brought them up into his house, he set food before them, and rejoiced with all his house, having become a believer in God. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Release those men. And the jailer reported these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to release you; now therefore come out, and go in peace. But Paul said to them, They have publicly beaten us uncondemned, although we are Romans, and have thrust us into prison; and now do they thrust us out secretly? No; but let them come themselves, and bring us out. And the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates; and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they entreated them to leave the city. And when they had come out of the prison, they went into the house of Lydia; and when they saw the brethren, they exhorted them, and departed.
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 Zachariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant, read more.
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets of old, salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to accomplish his mercy toward our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to Abraham our father, to grant to us, that being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we might worship him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called a prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go in advance before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets of old, salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to accomplish his mercy toward our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to Abraham our father, to grant to us, that being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we might worship him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called a prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go in advance before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Select readings » Joseph revealing his identity
Select readings » Mankind in extremity
Select readings » Mary's magnificat
And Mary said, My soul magnifieth the Lord, and my spirit hath exulted in God my Saviour; for he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaiden. For lo! from this time all generations will call me blessed; read more.
for the Mighty One hath done great things for me; and holy is his name; and his mercy is from generation to generation on them that fear him. He hath wrought mightily with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the device of their heart. He hath cast down princes from thrones, and exalted men of low degree. The hungry he hath filled with good things, and the rich he hath sent away empty. He hath given help to Israel his servant, in remembrance of his mercy toward Abraham and his offspring for ever, as he spoke to our fathers. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
for the Mighty One hath done great things for me; and holy is his name; and his mercy is from generation to generation on them that fear him. He hath wrought mightily with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the device of their heart. He hath cast down princes from thrones, and exalted men of low degree. The hungry he hath filled with good things, and the rich he hath sent away empty. He hath given help to Israel his servant, in remembrance of his mercy toward Abraham and his offspring for ever, as he spoke to our fathers. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Select readings » God's providence
Behold the birds of the air, that they sow not, nor reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much greater value than they? But who of you by anxious thought can add to his life one cubit? And why are ye anxious about raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They toil not, neither do they spin; read more.
and yet I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these. And if God so clothes the herbage of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into an oven, will he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore be not anxious, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we he clothed? For after all these things do the gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will also be given you. Be not then anxious about the morrow; for the morrow will be anxious about itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
and yet I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these. And if God so clothes the herbage of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into an oven, will he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore be not anxious, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we he clothed? For after all these things do the gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will also be given you. Be not then anxious about the morrow; for the morrow will be anxious about itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
Select readings » Naaman the leper
Select readings » The resurrection of jesus Christ
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb; and on entering they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. read more.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about this, lo! two men stood by them in glittering apparel; and when they were terrified, and bowed their faces to the earth, the men said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but hath risen. Remember how be spoke to you while yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinners, and be crucified, and rise again on the third day. And they remembered his words. And returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary the Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; and the other women with them told these things to the apostles. And these words seemed to them as an idle tale, and they did not believe them. (...)
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about this, lo! two men stood by them in glittering apparel; and when they were terrified, and bowed their faces to the earth, the men said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but hath risen. Remember how be spoke to you while yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinners, and be crucified, and rise again on the third day. And they remembered his words. And returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary the Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; and the other women with them told these things to the apostles. And these words seemed to them as an idle tale, and they did not believe them. (...)
Select readings » Wise and foolish builders
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in thy name, and in thy name cast out demons, and in thy name work many miracles? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. read more.
Every one then that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened to a wise man, who built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was its fall.
Every one then that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened to a wise man, who built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was its fall.
Select readings » Peter on the day of pentecost
And on the day of Pentecost they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came out of heaven a sound, as of a rushing mighty wind; and it filled the whole house where they were sitting; and there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributing themselves; and one sat upon each of them. read more.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound took place, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because every one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed, and marveled, saying, Behold, are not all these who speak Galilaeans? and how is it that we every one hear them in our own language, wherein we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and Romans who sojourn here, both Jews and Proselytes, Cretans and Arabianshow is it that we hear them speaking in our tongues the wonderful works of God? And they were all amazed and were in doubt, saying one to another, What can this mean? Others making sport of it, said, They are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them, Men of Judea, and all that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and hearken to my words. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; for it is the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel, "It shall be in the last days, saith God, that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams; and even on my servants, and on my handmaids, I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord cometh, the great and notable day. And it shall be that every one that calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man approved of God to you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God wrought by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know, this man, being delivered up by the settled purpose and foreknowledge of God, ye, by the hand of godless men, crucified and slew. But God raised him up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. For David saith concerning him, "I saw the Lord always before me; because he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue exulted; moreover also, my flesh shall dwell in hope; because thou wilt not abandon my soul to the underworld, nor wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou didst make known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of joy with thy countenance." Brethren, I may speak to you with freedom of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is among us to this day. Being then a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath that he would set one sprung from his loins upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the underworld, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye both see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself saith, The Lord said to my lord, "Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound took place, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because every one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed, and marveled, saying, Behold, are not all these who speak Galilaeans? and how is it that we every one hear them in our own language, wherein we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and Romans who sojourn here, both Jews and Proselytes, Cretans and Arabianshow is it that we hear them speaking in our tongues the wonderful works of God? And they were all amazed and were in doubt, saying one to another, What can this mean? Others making sport of it, said, They are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them, Men of Judea, and all that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and hearken to my words. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; for it is the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel, "It shall be in the last days, saith God, that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams; and even on my servants, and on my handmaids, I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord cometh, the great and notable day. And it shall be that every one that calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man approved of God to you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God wrought by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know, this man, being delivered up by the settled purpose and foreknowledge of God, ye, by the hand of godless men, crucified and slew. But God raised him up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. For David saith concerning him, "I saw the Lord always before me; because he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue exulted; moreover also, my flesh shall dwell in hope; because thou wilt not abandon my soul to the underworld, nor wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou didst make known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of joy with thy countenance." Brethren, I may speak to you with freedom of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is among us to this day. Being then a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath that he would set one sprung from his loins upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the underworld, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye both see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself saith, The Lord said to my lord, "Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
Select readings » Elisha and the widow's oil
Select readings » Stephen's defense
And the highpriest said, Are then these things so? And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, "Go forth from thy country and thy kindred, and come into the land which I will show thee." read more.
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran; and from thence, after his father was dead, he caused him to remove into this land wherein ye now dwell; and he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on; and he promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his posterity after him, when as yet he had no child. And God spoke in this manner: "That his posterity should sojourn in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage, and illtreat them four hundred years; and the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge," said God; "and after that they shall come forth, and shall worship me in this place." And he gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt; and God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt, and all his house. Now there came a famine over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great distress; and our fathers found no Sustenance. But Jacob, hearing that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first. And at the second time Joseph was recognized by his brothers, and the kindred of Joseph became known to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, seventy five souls. And Jacob went down [into Egypt], and died, he and our fathers. And they were removed to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. But as the time of the promise drew near, which God solemnly made to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, until another king arose, who knew not Joseph. The same dealt subtly with our race, and illtreated our fathers, so that they should cast out their infants, that they might not be preserved alive. In which time Moses was born, and was exceedingly fair; who was nourished in his fathers house three months. And when he was cast out, Pharaohs daughter took him up, and nourished him for herself as a son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his worlds and deeds. And when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed by smiting the Egyptian. For he supposed his brethren would understand that God through his hand would give them salvation; but they understood not. And the next day he showed himself to them as they were contending, and urged them to peace, saying, Ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another? But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Dost thou mean to kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian yesterday?" And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And when forty years were completed, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai an angel in the flaming fire of a bush. And Moses seeing it wondered at the sight; and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came [to him], saying, "I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob." And Moses trembled and durst not behold. And the Lord said to him, "Loose the sandals from thy feet; for the place where thou standest is holy ground. I have surely seen the oppression of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them; and now, come, I will send thee into Egypt." This Moses, whom they denied, saying, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge?" this very man did God send both as a ruler and a redeemer with the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. This very man brought them out, working wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, "A prophet will God raise up to you from among your brethren, as he raised up me." This is he that was in the assembly in the wilderness with the anger who spake to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received the living oracles to give to us; to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back into Egypt, saying to Aaron, "Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him." And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. But God turned away, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the Prophets, "Did ye offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, the figures which ye made to worship them; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon." Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, as he that spoke to Moses commanded that he should make it according to the pattern that he had seen; which also our fathers received and brought in with Joshua, at their taking possession of the gentiles whom God drove out from before our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor before God, and asked that he might find a habitation for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a house. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in [temples] made with hands; as saith the prophet, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will ye build for me? saith the Lord; or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hands make all these things?" Stiffnecked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears! ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they slew those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, of whom ye have now become the betrayers and murderers; ye who received the Law as ordained through angels, and did not keep it. But when they heard these things, their hearts were filled with rage, and they gnashed their teeth at him. But, being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked up earnestly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Lo, I behold the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran; and from thence, after his father was dead, he caused him to remove into this land wherein ye now dwell; and he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on; and he promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his posterity after him, when as yet he had no child. And God spoke in this manner: "That his posterity should sojourn in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage, and illtreat them four hundred years; and the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge," said God; "and after that they shall come forth, and shall worship me in this place." And he gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt; and God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt, and all his house. Now there came a famine over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great distress; and our fathers found no Sustenance. But Jacob, hearing that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first. And at the second time Joseph was recognized by his brothers, and the kindred of Joseph became known to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, seventy five souls. And Jacob went down [into Egypt], and died, he and our fathers. And they were removed to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. But as the time of the promise drew near, which God solemnly made to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, until another king arose, who knew not Joseph. The same dealt subtly with our race, and illtreated our fathers, so that they should cast out their infants, that they might not be preserved alive. In which time Moses was born, and was exceedingly fair; who was nourished in his fathers house three months. And when he was cast out, Pharaohs daughter took him up, and nourished him for herself as a son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his worlds and deeds. And when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed by smiting the Egyptian. For he supposed his brethren would understand that God through his hand would give them salvation; but they understood not. And the next day he showed himself to them as they were contending, and urged them to peace, saying, Ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another? But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Dost thou mean to kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian yesterday?" And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And when forty years were completed, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai an angel in the flaming fire of a bush. And Moses seeing it wondered at the sight; and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came [to him], saying, "I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob." And Moses trembled and durst not behold. And the Lord said to him, "Loose the sandals from thy feet; for the place where thou standest is holy ground. I have surely seen the oppression of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them; and now, come, I will send thee into Egypt." This Moses, whom they denied, saying, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge?" this very man did God send both as a ruler and a redeemer with the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. This very man brought them out, working wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, "A prophet will God raise up to you from among your brethren, as he raised up me." This is he that was in the assembly in the wilderness with the anger who spake to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received the living oracles to give to us; to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back into Egypt, saying to Aaron, "Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him." And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. But God turned away, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the Prophets, "Did ye offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, the figures which ye made to worship them; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon." Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, as he that spoke to Moses commanded that he should make it according to the pattern that he had seen; which also our fathers received and brought in with Joshua, at their taking possession of the gentiles whom God drove out from before our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor before God, and asked that he might find a habitation for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a house. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in [temples] made with hands; as saith the prophet, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What house will ye build for me? saith the Lord; or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hands make all these things?" Stiffnecked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears! ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they slew those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, of whom ye have now become the betrayers and murderers; ye who received the Law as ordained through angels, and did not keep it. But when they heard these things, their hearts were filled with rage, and they gnashed their teeth at him. But, being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked up earnestly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Lo, I behold the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Select readings » The beatitudes
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain; and when he had sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. read more.
Blessed are they who mourn; for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek; for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful; for they will obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men revile you, and persecute you, and say every thing that is bad against you, falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so did they persecute the prophets that were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall itself be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid; nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the lampstand; and it giveth light to all that are in the house. In like manner let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn; for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek; for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful; for they will obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men revile you, and persecute you, and say every thing that is bad against you, falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so did they persecute the prophets that were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall itself be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid; nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the lampstand; and it giveth light to all that are in the house. In like manner let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Select readings » Old age
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United prayer » Select readings
And it came to pass, as he was in a certain place praying, that when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Father, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; give us day by day our daily bread; read more.
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
And he spoke a parable to them to show that they ought to pray always, and not be fainthearted: saying, There was in a certain city a judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary! read more.
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
Unwise prayers » Select readings
And it came to pass, as he was in a certain place praying, that when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Father, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; give us day by day our daily bread; read more.
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
and forgive us our sins, for even we ourselves forgive every one that is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation. And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and I and my children are in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say to you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, the door will be opened. And what father is there, among you, who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? or if he ask for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? or, if he ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If ye then, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
And he spoke a parable to them to show that they ought to pray always, and not be fainthearted: saying, There was in a certain city a judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary! read more.
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
Wealth » Accumulation of » Select readings
And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do? for I have not where to store my crops. And he said, This will I do; I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I store all my crops and my goods; read more.
and I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast many goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, Fool! this night will thy soul he required of thee; and whose will those things be which thou hast laid up? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.
and I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast many goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, Fool! this night will thy soul he required of thee; and whose will those things be which thou hast laid up? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted sumptuously every day. And a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and longing to be fed with what fell from the rich mans table. But even the dogs came and licked his sores. read more.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. And in the underworld he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called and said, Father Abraham, have pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou didst receive thy good things in thy lifetime, and Lazarus in like manner his evil things; but now he is comforted here, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is placed a great gulf, so that those who wish to cross from hence to you may not be able, and that those on that side cannot cross over to us. Then he said, I pray thee then, father, to send him to my fathers house; for I have five brothers; that he may give earnest warning to them, that they too may not come into this place of torment. But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent. But he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. And in the underworld he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called and said, Father Abraham, have pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou didst receive thy good things in thy lifetime, and Lazarus in like manner his evil things; but now he is comforted here, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is placed a great gulf, so that those who wish to cross from hence to you may not be able, and that those on that side cannot cross over to us. Then he said, I pray thee then, father, to send him to my fathers house; for I have five brothers; that he may give earnest warning to them, that they too may not come into this place of torment. But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent. But he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.