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 also 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 we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
and forgive us our sins; for we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
And He spake a parable to them, to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, "There was in a 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 a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the faith on the earth?"
Daily duty » Select readings
See that no one render to any one evil for evil; but always pursue that which is good, toward one another, and toward all. Rejoice always: pray without ceasing. read more.
In everything give thanks; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting 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 the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, 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 brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
In everything give thanks; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting 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 the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, 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 brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The Dead » Resurrection of » Select readings
But we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those falling asleep, that ye sorrow not even as the rest who have no hope; for, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also those who fell asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say to You, in a word of the Lord, that we, the living who remain over to the coming of the Lord, shall in nowise precede those who fell asleep; read more.
because the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven, with a shout, with a voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; after that we, the living who are left over, will be caught up together with them in clouds, into the air, to meet the Lord; and so shall we always be with the Lord. So then, comfort one another with these words.
because the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven, with a shout, with a voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; after that we, the living who are left over, will be caught up together with them in clouds, into the air, to meet the Lord; and so shall we always be with the Lord. So then, comfort one another with these words.
Now a certain one was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. And 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 it, 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 was loving Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When, therefore, He heard that he was sick, He then abode two days in the place where He was. Then, after this, He saith to the disciples, "Let us go into Judaea again." The disciples say to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone Thee; and art Thou going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world; but, if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." These things He spake; and after this He saith to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going to awake him out of sleep." The disciples, therefore, said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover!" Now Jesus had spoken concerning his death; but they thought He spake of taking rest in sleep. Then, therefore, Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus died. And I am glad, for your sakes, (in order that ye may believe), that I was not there. But let us go to him." Thomas, who is called Dydimus, said, therefore, to His fellow-disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." Jesus, therefore, having come, found that he had already been four days in the tomb. Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs distant. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, met Him; but Mary was sitting in the house. Martha, therefore, said to Jesus, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died; and now I know that, whatsoever Thou shalt ask of God, God will give Thee." Jesus saith to her, "Your brother shall rise again." Martha says 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 believes on Me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever lives and believes on Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She says to Him, "Yea, Lord; I have believed that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, He Who was to come into the world." And, saying this, she went away, and called Mary her sister privately, saying, "The Teacher is present, and calleth for you." And she, when she heard it, arose quickly, and went to Him. (Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.) The Jews, therefore, who were with her in the house, and were comforting her, seeing Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb, to weep there. Mary, therefore, when she came where Jesus was, seeing Him, fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus, therefore, when He saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, groaned in the spirit, and troubled Himself; and He said, "Where have ye laid Him?" They say to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. The Jews, therefore, said, "Behold, how He was loving him! And some of them said, "Could not This Man, Who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not die?" Jesus, therefore, again groaning in Himself, cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying on it. Jesus saith, "Take ye away the stone." The sister of the deceased, Martha, says to Him, "Lord, already he is decaying; for he has been dead four days." Jesus saith to her, "Did I not say to you that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank Thee, because Thou didst hear Me. And I knew that Thou always hearest Me; but, because of the multitude standing around, I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me." And, having spoken these words, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" He that was dead came forth, bound feet and hands with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
And Jesus, hearing it, 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 was loving Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When, therefore, He heard that he was sick, He then abode two days in the place where He was. Then, after this, He saith to the disciples, "Let us go into Judaea again." The disciples say to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone Thee; and art Thou going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world; but, if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." These things He spake; and after this He saith to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going to awake him out of sleep." The disciples, therefore, said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover!" Now Jesus had spoken concerning his death; but they thought He spake of taking rest in sleep. Then, therefore, Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus died. And I am glad, for your sakes, (in order that ye may believe), that I was not there. But let us go to him." Thomas, who is called Dydimus, said, therefore, to His fellow-disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." Jesus, therefore, having come, found that he had already been four days in the tomb. Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs distant. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, met Him; but Mary was sitting in the house. Martha, therefore, said to Jesus, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died; and now I know that, whatsoever Thou shalt ask of God, God will give Thee." Jesus saith to her, "Your brother shall rise again." Martha says 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 believes on Me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever lives and believes on Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She says to Him, "Yea, Lord; I have believed that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, He Who was to come into the world." And, saying this, she went away, and called Mary her sister privately, saying, "The Teacher is present, and calleth for you." And she, when she heard it, arose quickly, and went to Him. (Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.) The Jews, therefore, who were with her in the house, and were comforting her, seeing Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb, to weep there. Mary, therefore, when she came where Jesus was, seeing Him, fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus, therefore, when He saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, groaned in the spirit, and troubled Himself; and He said, "Where have ye laid Him?" They say to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. The Jews, therefore, said, "Behold, how He was loving him! And some of them said, "Could not This Man, Who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not die?" Jesus, therefore, again groaning in Himself, cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying on it. Jesus saith, "Take ye away the stone." The sister of the deceased, Martha, says to Him, "Lord, already he is decaying; for he has been dead four days." Jesus saith to her, "Did I not say to you that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank Thee, because Thou didst hear Me. And I knew that Thou always hearest Me; but, because of the multitude standing around, I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me." And, having spoken these words, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" He that was dead came forth, bound feet and hands with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
And, the sabbath having past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that, coming, they might anoint Him. And, very early on the first day of the sabbaths, they come to the tomb, the sun having risen. And they were saying among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone for us out of the door of the tomb?" read more.
And, looking up, they see that the stone has been rolled back; for it was exceedingly great. And, entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe; and they were amazed. But he says to them; "Be not amazed. Ye are seeking Jesus the Nazarene, the crucified. He arose; He is not here; behold, the place where they laid Him! But go, say to his disciples, and to Peter, that He is going before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him, as He said to you." And, going out, they fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment seized them. And they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid. And, having risen early on the first day of a sabbath, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene from whom He had cast out seven demons. She, going, told it to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. And they, having heard that he was alive, and was seen by her, disbelieved. And after these things He appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking, going into the country; and they, going away, told it to the rest; neither did they believe them. And afterward He was manifested to the eleven themselves, as they were reclining at table, and upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not those who saw Him after He had risen.
And, looking up, they see that the stone has been rolled back; for it was exceedingly great. And, entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe; and they were amazed. But he says to them; "Be not amazed. Ye are seeking Jesus the Nazarene, the crucified. He arose; He is not here; behold, the place where they laid Him! But go, say to his disciples, and to Peter, that He is going before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him, as He said to you." And, going out, they fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment seized them. And they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid. And, having risen early on the first day of a sabbath, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene from whom He had cast out seven demons. She, going, told it to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. And they, having heard that he was alive, and was seen by her, disbelieved. And after these things He appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking, going into the country; and they, going away, told it to the rest; neither did they believe them. And afterward He was manifested to the eleven themselves, as they were reclining at table, and upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not those who saw Him after He had risen.
But, on the first day of the sabbaths, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb; and, entering, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. read more.
And it came to pass, while they were perplexed about this, behold, also two men stood near them in dazzling apparel. And, as they became afraid, and were bowing their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why are ye seeking the Living among the dead? He is not here, but was raised. Remember how He spake to you, being yet in Galilee, saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again," And they remembered His words; and, returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joana, and Mary the mother of James; and the rest of the women with them were telling these things to the apostles. And these words appeared in their view as idle talk; and they were disbelieving them. But Peter, rising up, ran to the tomb; and, stooping down to look in, he sees the linen bandages alone, and he departed to his home, wondering at what had happened. And, behold, two of them that very day were journeying to a village, the name of which was Emmaus, distant sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they were conversing with each other concerning all these things that had happened. And it came to pass, while they were conversing and reasoning together, that Jesus Himself, drawing near, was journeying with them; but their eyes were holden that they should not recognize Him. And He said to them, "What words are these which ye are exchanging one with another, as ye walk?" And they stood still, with sad faces. And one of them, Cleopas by name, said to Him, "Art Thou only a Stranger in Jerusalem, and knowest not the things that came to pass there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Prophet, mighty in deed and word, before God and all the people: and how the high priests and our rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He Who was about to redeem Israel; yea, indeed, and besides all these things, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover, also, certain women of our company astonished us, having been early at the tomb; and, not finding His body, they came, saying that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive! And some of those with us went away to the tomb, and found it even so as the women said; but Him they saw not." And He said to them, "O inconsiderate and slow in heart to believe in all that the prophets spake! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things, and enter into His glory?" And, beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, He thoroughly interpreted to them, in all the Scriptures, the things concerning Himself. And they drew near to the village whither they were going; and He acted as if He would go further. And they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us; because it is toward evening, and the day has already declined." And He went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, as He was reclining at table with them, that, taking the bread, He blessed it; and, breaking, He was giving to them; and their eyes were opened, and they clearly recognized Him; and He vanished from them. And they said one to another, "Was not our heart burning within us, as He was talking with us in the way, as He was opening the Scriptures to us!" And, rising up that same hour, they returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together, and those with them, saying, "Truly the Lord arose, and appeared to Simon." And they were narrating the things that transpired in the way, and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Now, as they were telling these things, He Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith to them, "Peace be to you!" But, being terrified and frightened, they were supposing that they were beholding a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; because a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as ye behold Me having." And, saying this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And, while they still disbelieved for joy, and marvelled, He said to them, "Have ye here anything to eat?" And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and, taking it, He ate before them. And He said to them, "These are My words which I spake to you, while being yet with you: that all things must be fulfilled, that have been written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the Psalms, concerning Me." Then He opened their mind, that they might understand the Scriptures; and He said to them, "Thus it has been written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise from the dead on the third day,
And it came to pass, while they were perplexed about this, behold, also two men stood near them in dazzling apparel. And, as they became afraid, and were bowing their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why are ye seeking the Living among the dead? He is not here, but was raised. Remember how He spake to you, being yet in Galilee, saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again," And they remembered His words; and, returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joana, and Mary the mother of James; and the rest of the women with them were telling these things to the apostles. And these words appeared in their view as idle talk; and they were disbelieving them. But Peter, rising up, ran to the tomb; and, stooping down to look in, he sees the linen bandages alone, and he departed to his home, wondering at what had happened. And, behold, two of them that very day were journeying to a village, the name of which was Emmaus, distant sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they were conversing with each other concerning all these things that had happened. And it came to pass, while they were conversing and reasoning together, that Jesus Himself, drawing near, was journeying with them; but their eyes were holden that they should not recognize Him. And He said to them, "What words are these which ye are exchanging one with another, as ye walk?" And they stood still, with sad faces. And one of them, Cleopas by name, said to Him, "Art Thou only a Stranger in Jerusalem, and knowest not the things that came to pass there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Prophet, mighty in deed and word, before God and all the people: and how the high priests and our rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He Who was about to redeem Israel; yea, indeed, and besides all these things, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover, also, certain women of our company astonished us, having been early at the tomb; and, not finding His body, they came, saying that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive! And some of those with us went away to the tomb, and found it even so as the women said; but Him they saw not." And He said to them, "O inconsiderate and slow in heart to believe in all that the prophets spake! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things, and enter into His glory?" And, beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, He thoroughly interpreted to them, in all the Scriptures, the things concerning Himself. And they drew near to the village whither they were going; and He acted as if He would go further. And they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us; because it is toward evening, and the day has already declined." And He went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, as He was reclining at table with them, that, taking the bread, He blessed it; and, breaking, He was giving to them; and their eyes were opened, and they clearly recognized Him; and He vanished from them. And they said one to another, "Was not our heart burning within us, as He was talking with us in the way, as He was opening the Scriptures to us!" And, rising up that same hour, they returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together, and those with them, saying, "Truly the Lord arose, and appeared to Simon." And they were narrating the things that transpired in the way, and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Now, as they were telling these things, He Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith to them, "Peace be to you!" But, being terrified and frightened, they were supposing that they were beholding a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; because a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as ye behold Me having." And, saying this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And, while they still disbelieved for joy, and marvelled, He said to them, "Have ye here anything to eat?" And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and, taking it, He ate before them. And He said to them, "These are My words which I spake to you, while being yet with you: that all things must be fulfilled, that have been written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the Psalms, concerning Me." Then He opened their mind, that they might understand the Scriptures; and He said to them, "Thus it has been written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise from the dead on the third day,
God » Wisdom of » Select readings
spiritual Growth » Encouraged » Select readings
Concerning Whom we have much to say and difficult to explain, since ye have become dull of hearing. For even when, on account of the time, ye ought to be teachers, ye again have need that some one teach you the first elements of the oracles of God, and have become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food; for every one who partakes of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe; read more.
but solid food is for full-grown men, who by practice have their senses trained for the discernment both of good and evil.
but solid food is for full-grown men, who by practice have their senses trained for the discernment both of good and evil.
Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the teaching of immersions, and laying on of hands, of a resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this will we do, if, indeed, God permit. read more.
For as to those who were once enlightened, and tasted of the heavenly gift, and became partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying to themselves the Son of God afresh, and putting Him to open shame. For the land which drank in the rain that often comes upon it, and brings forth an herb fit for those for whose sake also it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but, if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected, and is near to a curse; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we have become persuaded better things concerning you, and things accompanying salvation, even though we thus speak; for God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which ye showed toward His name, in having ministered to the saints, and still ministering. And we desire that each of you show forth the same diligence to the full assurance of the hope to the end; that ye may not become slothful, but imitators of those who, through faith and long-suffering, inherit the promises. For God, when making a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, swore by Himself, saying, "Surely, blessing, I will bless you; and multiplying, I will multiply you." And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men swear by the greater; and the oath for confirmation is an end, to them, of every dispute:
For as to those who were once enlightened, and tasted of the heavenly gift, and became partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying to themselves the Son of God afresh, and putting Him to open shame. For the land which drank in the rain that often comes upon it, and brings forth an herb fit for those for whose sake also it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but, if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected, and is near to a curse; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we have become persuaded better things concerning you, and things accompanying salvation, even though we thus speak; for God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which ye showed toward His name, in having ministered to the saints, and still ministering. And we desire that each of you show forth the same diligence to the full assurance of the hope to the end; that ye may not become slothful, but imitators of those who, through faith and long-suffering, inherit the promises. For God, when making a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, swore by Himself, saying, "Surely, blessing, I will bless you; and multiplying, I will multiply you." And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men swear by the greater; and the oath for confirmation is an end, to them, of every dispute:
Heavenly » Home heavenly home the final dwelling place of the saints » Select readings
And I say to you, make to yourselves friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it fails, they may receive you into everlasting tabernacles.
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 also 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 we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
and forgive us our sins; for we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
And He spake a parable to them, to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, "There was in a 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 a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the 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 also 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 we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
and forgive us our sins; for we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
And He spake a parable to them, to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, "There was in a 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 a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the faith on the earth?"
Select readings » The raising of lazarus
Now a certain one was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. And 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 to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs distant. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, met Him; but Mary was sitting in the house. read more.
Martha, therefore, said to Jesus, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died; and now I know that, whatsoever Thou shalt ask of God, God will give Thee." Jesus saith to her, "Your brother shall rise again." Martha says 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 believes on Me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever lives and believes on Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She says to Him, "Yea, Lord; I have believed that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, He Who was to come into the world." And, saying this, she went away, and called Mary her sister privately, saying, "The Teacher is present, and calleth for you." And she, when she heard it, arose quickly, and went to Him. (Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.) The Jews, therefore, who were with her in the house, and were comforting her, seeing Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb, to weep there. Mary, therefore, when she came where Jesus was, seeing Him, fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus, therefore, when He saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, groaned in the spirit, and troubled Himself; and He said, "Where have ye laid Him?" They say to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. The Jews, therefore, said, "Behold, how He was loving him! And some of them said, "Could not This Man, Who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not die?" Jesus, therefore, again groaning in Himself, cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying on it. Jesus saith, "Take ye away the stone." The sister of the deceased, Martha, says to Him, "Lord, already he is decaying; for he has been dead four days." Jesus saith to her, "Did I not say to you that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank Thee, because Thou didst hear Me. And I knew that Thou always hearest Me; but, because of the multitude standing around, I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me." And, having spoken these words, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" He that was dead came forth, bound feet and hands with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, "Loose him, and let him go." Many, therefore, of the Jews who came to Mary and beheld what He did, believed on Him; but some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus did.
Martha, therefore, said to Jesus, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died; and now I know that, whatsoever Thou shalt ask of God, God will give Thee." Jesus saith to her, "Your brother shall rise again." Martha says 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 believes on Me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever lives and believes on Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She says to Him, "Yea, Lord; I have believed that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, He Who was to come into the world." And, saying this, she went away, and called Mary her sister privately, saying, "The Teacher is present, and calleth for you." And she, when she heard it, arose quickly, and went to Him. (Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.) The Jews, therefore, who were with her in the house, and were comforting her, seeing Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb, to weep there. Mary, therefore, when she came where Jesus was, seeing Him, fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus, therefore, when He saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, groaned in the spirit, and troubled Himself; and He said, "Where have ye laid Him?" They say to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. The Jews, therefore, said, "Behold, how He was loving him! And some of them said, "Could not This Man, Who opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not die?" Jesus, therefore, again groaning in Himself, cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying on it. Jesus saith, "Take ye away the stone." The sister of the deceased, Martha, says to Him, "Lord, already he is decaying; for he has been dead four days." Jesus saith to her, "Did I not say to you that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank Thee, because Thou didst hear Me. And I knew that Thou always hearest Me; but, because of the multitude standing around, I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me." And, having spoken these words, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" He that was dead came forth, bound feet and hands with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith to them, "Loose him, and let him go." Many, therefore, of the Jews who came to Mary and beheld what He did, believed on Him; but some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus did.
Select readings » David's lament over absalom
Select readings » The betrayal of jesus by judas iscariot
While He was yet speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who is called Judas, one of the twelve, was coming before them; and he drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. And Jesus said to him, "Judas, do ye betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" And those about Him, seeing what was about to follow, said, "Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" read more.
And a certain one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his right ear. But Jesus, answering, said, "Suffer ye thus far." And, touching the ear, He healed him. And Jesus said to the high priests and captains of the temple and elders, who came up against Him, "Did ye come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against Me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." And, seizing Him, they led Him away, and brought Him into the house of the high priest. But Peter was following afar off. And, they having kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and having sat down together, Peter was sitting in the midst of them. And a certain maid, seeing him sitting by the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with Him." But he denied, saying, "I do not know Him, woman." And, after a little while, another, seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." And, about one hour having intervened, a certain other was confidently insisting, saying, "Of a truth this one also was with Him; for he also is a Galilaean." But Peter said, "Man, I know not what you are saying." And immediately, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. And, turning, the Lord looked upon Peter: and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He said to him, "Before a cock shall crow to-day, you will thrice deny Me." And, going forth without, he wept bitterly.
And a certain one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his right ear. But Jesus, answering, said, "Suffer ye thus far." And, touching the ear, He healed him. And Jesus said to the high priests and captains of the temple and elders, who came up against Him, "Did ye come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against Me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." And, seizing Him, they led Him away, and brought Him into the house of the high priest. But Peter was following afar off. And, they having kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and having sat down together, Peter was sitting in the midst of them. And a certain maid, seeing him sitting by the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with Him." But he denied, saying, "I do not know Him, woman." And, after a little while, another, seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." And, about one hour having intervened, a certain other was confidently insisting, saying, "Of a truth this one also was with Him; for he also is a Galilaean." But Peter said, "Man, I know not what you are saying." And immediately, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. And, turning, the Lord looked upon Peter: and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He said to him, "Before a cock shall crow to-day, you will thrice deny Me." And, going forth without, he wept bitterly.
Select readings » The parable of the good samaritan
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, tempting Him, saying, "Teacher, by doing what shall I inherit eternal life?" And He said to him, "What has been written in the law? How do you read?" And he, answering, said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." read more.
And He said to him, "You answered right; do this, and you shall live." But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" And Jesus, answering, said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; who, both stripping him and inflicting blows, went away, leaving him half dead. And by chance, a certain priest was going down that way; and, seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side. And, in like manner, a Levite also, coming to the place, and seeing him, passed by on the opposite side. But a certain Samaritan, going on his way, came down to him; and, seeing him, he was moved with compassion; and, coming to him, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and, setting him on his own beast, he brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And, on the morrow, taking out two denaries, he gave them to the host, and said, 'Take care of him; and whatsoever you expend additional, I, when I return, will repay you.' Which, therefore, of these three seems to you to have become neighbor of him who fell among the robbers?" And he said, "He that dealt kindly with him." And Jesus said to him, "Go, and do likewise."
And He said to him, "You answered right; do this, and you shall live." But he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" And Jesus, answering, said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers; who, both stripping him and inflicting blows, went away, leaving him half dead. And by chance, a certain priest was going down that way; and, seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side. And, in like manner, a Levite also, coming to the place, and seeing him, passed by on the opposite side. But a certain Samaritan, going on his way, came down to him; and, seeing him, he was moved with compassion; and, coming to him, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and, setting him on his own beast, he brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And, on the morrow, taking out two denaries, he gave them to the host, and said, 'Take care of him; and whatsoever you expend additional, I, when I return, will repay you.' Which, therefore, of these three seems to you to have become neighbor of him who fell among the robbers?" And he said, "He that dealt kindly with him." And Jesus said to him, "Go, and do likewise."
Select readings » Elijah's miraculous preservation
Select readings » The parable of the prodigal son
And He said, "A certain man had two sons. And the younger said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of the estate that falls to me.' And he divided to them his living. And, not many days after, gathering all things together, the younger son went abroad into a far country, and there wasted his estate, living riotously. read more.
And, when he spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. And, going his way, he attached himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he was longing to be filled with the pods which the swine were eating; and no one was giving to him. But, coming to himself, he said, 'How many hired servants of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I am perishing here with hunger! Arising, I will go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I sinned against Heaven, and before you; I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.' And, arising, he came to his father. But, while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion; and, running, he fell on his neck, and kissed him much. And the son said to the father, 'Father, I sinned against Heaven, and before you; no longer am I worthy to be called your son!' But the father said to his servants, 'Quickly bring forth a robe, the best, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet; and bring ye the fatted calf, kill it; and, eating, let us be merry; because this my son was dead, and came to life again; had been lost, and was found.' And they began to be merry. "Now his elder son was in a field; and as, in coming, he drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And, calling to him one of the young men, he inquired of him, what these things might be. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come; and your father killed the fatted calf, because he received him in sound health.' But he was angry, and was not willing to go in; but his father, coming out, kept entreating him. But he, answering, said to his father, 'Behold, so many years do I serve you; and, at no time, did I transgress a command of yours; and you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But, when your son??his one who devoured your living with harlots??ame, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours' But it was meet to make merry, and rejoice; because this your brother was dead, and came to life again; and had been lost, and was found."
And, when he spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. And, going his way, he attached himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he was longing to be filled with the pods which the swine were eating; and no one was giving to him. But, coming to himself, he said, 'How many hired servants of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I am perishing here with hunger! Arising, I will go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I sinned against Heaven, and before you; I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.' And, arising, he came to his father. But, while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion; and, running, he fell on his neck, and kissed him much. And the son said to the father, 'Father, I sinned against Heaven, and before you; no longer am I worthy to be called your son!' But the father said to his servants, 'Quickly bring forth a robe, the best, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet; and bring ye the fatted calf, kill it; and, eating, let us be merry; because this my son was dead, and came to life again; had been lost, and was found.' And they began to be merry. "Now his elder son was in a field; and as, in coming, he drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And, calling to him one of the young men, he inquired of him, what these things might be. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come; and your father killed the fatted calf, because he received him in sound health.' But he was angry, and was not willing to go in; but his father, coming out, kept entreating him. But he, answering, said to his father, 'Behold, so many years do I serve you; and, at no time, did I transgress a command of yours; and you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But, when your son??his one who devoured your living with harlots??ame, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours' But it was meet to make merry, and rejoice; because this your brother was dead, and came to life again; and had been lost, and was found."
Select readings » The brevity of life
Select readings » Paul on mars' hill
And Paul, having taken his stand in the midst of Mars Hill, said, "Men of Athens, in all respects I observe that ye are more than usually regardful of the deities; for, passing through, and considering your objects of worship, I found also an altar on which had been inscribed, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What, therefore, in ignorance ye worship, this I declare to you. The God Who made the world and all things therein, The Same being Lord of Heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, read more.
nor is ministered to by human hands, as if needing anything; Himself giving to all life, and breath, and all things; and He made of one every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if, perhaps, they might feel after Him, and find Him, although, in truth, He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live, and move, and are; as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His offspring.' "Being, therefore, God's offspring, we ought not to suppose that the God-head is like gold, or silver, or stone, graven by man's art and device! God, therefore, having overlooked the time of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent; inasmuch as He appointed a day in which He intendeth to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness, by a Man Whom He appointed, having given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead."
nor is ministered to by human hands, as if needing anything; Himself giving to all life, and breath, and all things; and He made of one every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if, perhaps, they might feel after Him, and find Him, although, in truth, He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live, and move, and are; as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His offspring.' "Being, therefore, God's offspring, we ought not to suppose that the God-head is like gold, or silver, or stone, graven by man's art and device! God, therefore, having overlooked the time of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent; inasmuch as He appointed a day in which He intendeth to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness, by a Man Whom He 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 on our way to the place of prayer, that a certain damsel, having a spirit of divination, met us; who, indeed, was bringing to her masters much gain by sooth-saying. The same, following after Paul and us, kept crying, saying, "These men are servants of the Most High God; who, indeed, declare to you a way of salvation." And this she was doing for many days. But Paul, having been troubled, and turning, said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out from her." And it came out that very hour! read more.
But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, laying hold on Paul and Silas, dragged them into the market-place before the rulers; and, leading them forward to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, are greatly disturbing our city; and are declaring customs, which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates, having torn off their garments, were giving orders to beat them with rods; and, having laid upon them many stripes, they thrust 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. And about midnight Paul and Silas, while engaged in prayer, were singing praise 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 immediately all the doors were opened, and the bonds of all were loosed. And the jailer, being aroused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing a sword, was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." And, calling for a light, he sprang in, and, being in fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and, having brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, and your house." And they spake to him the word of the Lord with all that were in his house. And, having taken them with him, at that hour of the night he washed their stripes; and was immersed, himself and all his, immediately; and, bringing them up into his house, he placed a table near them; and he rejoiced greatly with all his house, having believed in God. And, when it was day, the magistrates sent forth the serjeants, saying, "Release these men." And the jailer reported these words to Paul, "The magistrates have sent that ye be released; now, therefore, going forth, go on your way in peace." But Paul said to them "Having beaten us in public, uncondemned, being Romans, they cast us into prison; and now are they casting us out secretly? Nay, verily; but, coming themselves, let them lead us out." And the serjeants reported these words to the magistrates; and they were afraid, when they heard that they were Romans; and, coming, they besought them; and, leading them forth, they kept asking them to go away from the city. And, coming out from the prison, they entered into the house of Lidia; and, seeing the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, laying hold on Paul and Silas, dragged them into the market-place before the rulers; and, leading them forward to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, are greatly disturbing our city; and are declaring customs, which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates, having torn off their garments, were giving orders to beat them with rods; and, having laid upon them many stripes, they thrust 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. And about midnight Paul and Silas, while engaged in prayer, were singing praise 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 immediately all the doors were opened, and the bonds of all were loosed. And the jailer, being aroused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing a sword, was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." And, calling for a light, he sprang in, and, being in fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and, having brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, and your house." And they spake to him the word of the Lord with all that were in his house. And, having taken them with him, at that hour of the night he washed their stripes; and was immersed, himself and all his, immediately; and, bringing them up into his house, he placed a table near them; and he rejoiced greatly with all his house, having believed in God. And, when it was day, the magistrates sent forth the serjeants, saying, "Release these men." And the jailer reported these words to Paul, "The magistrates have sent that ye be released; now, therefore, going forth, go on your way in peace." But Paul said to them "Having beaten us in public, uncondemned, being Romans, they cast us into prison; and now are they casting us out secretly? Nay, verily; but, coming themselves, let them lead us out." And the serjeants reported these words to the magistrates; and they were afraid, when they heard that they were Romans; and, coming, they besought them; and, leading them forth, they kept asking them to go away from the city. And, coming out from the prison, they entered into the house of Lidia; and, seeing the brethren, they comforted 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 Zacharias, his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He visited, and wrought redemption for His people; and raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant; read more.
(as He spake through the mouth of His holy prophets from of old), salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy towards our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He swore to Abraham, our father; to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. "And you also, child, shall be called 'Prophet of the Most High;' for you shall go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation to His people in remission of their sins, because of the tender compassions of the mercy of our God, wherein the day-spring from on high shall visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
(as He spake through the mouth of His holy prophets from of old), salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy towards our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He swore to Abraham, our father; to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. "And you also, child, shall be called 'Prophet of the Most High;' for you shall go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation to His people in remission of their sins, because of the tender compassions of the mercy of our God, wherein the day-spring from on high shall visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child was growing, and becoming 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 magnifies the Lord; and my spirit exulted in God my Saviour; because He looked upon the lowliness of His handmaid; for, behold, from the present time all generations will call me happy; read more.
because the Mighty One did great things for me; and Holy is His name! And His mercy is unto generations and generations to those who fear Him. He wrought might with His arm; He scattered men proud in the imagination of their heart. He deposed potentates from thrones, and exalted the lowly. The hungry He filled with good things, and the rich He sent away empty. He succored Israel His servant, to remember mercy, (as He spake to our fathers), to Abraham and to his seed forever." And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her house.
because the Mighty One did great things for me; and Holy is His name! And His mercy is unto generations and generations to those who fear Him. He wrought might with His arm; He scattered men proud in the imagination of their heart. He deposed potentates from thrones, and exalted the lowly. The hungry He filled with good things, and the rich He sent away empty. He succored Israel His servant, to remember mercy, (as He spake to our fathers), to Abraham and to his seed forever." And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her house.
Select readings » God's providence
Behold the fowls of the heaven, that they sow not, nor reap, nor gather into barns; and your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye much more valuable than they? And who of you, by being anxious, can add to his stature one cubit? And why are ye anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; read more.
but I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these. And, if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, that to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith! Be not, therefore, anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink!' or 'What shall we put on?' For after all these things the nations are seeking; for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Be not, therefore, anxious for the morrow; for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its evil.
but I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these. And, if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, that to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith! Be not, therefore, anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink!' or 'What shall we put on?' For after all these things the nations are seeking; for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Be not, therefore, anxious for the morrow; for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its evil.
Select readings » Naaman the leper
Select readings » The resurrection of jesus Christ
But, on the first day of the sabbaths, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb; and, entering, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. read more.
And it came to pass, while they were perplexed about this, behold, also two men stood near them in dazzling apparel. And, as they became afraid, and were bowing their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why are ye seeking the Living among the dead? He is not here, but was raised. Remember how He spake to you, being yet in Galilee, saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again," And they remembered His words; and, returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joana, and Mary the mother of James; and the rest of the women with them were telling these things to the apostles. And these words appeared in their view as idle talk; and they were disbelieving them. But Peter, rising up, ran to the tomb; and, stooping down to look in, he sees the linen bandages alone, and he departed to his home, wondering at what had happened.
And it came to pass, while they were perplexed about this, behold, also two men stood near them in dazzling apparel. And, as they became afraid, and were bowing their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why are ye seeking the Living among the dead? He is not here, but was raised. Remember how He spake to you, being yet in Galilee, saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again," And they remembered His words; and, returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joana, and Mary the mother of James; and the rest of the women with them were telling these things to the apostles. And these words appeared in their view as idle talk; and they were disbelieving them. But Peter, rising up, ran to the tomb; and, stooping down to look in, he sees the linen bandages alone, and he departed to his home, wondering at what had happened.
Select readings » Wise and foolish builders
"Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name? and by Thy name cast out demons, and by Thy name do many mighty works,'" And then will I confess to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye who work iniquity. read more.
"Every one, therefore, who hears these words of Mine, and does them, shall be likened to a prudent man, who, indeed, built his house upon the rock; and the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it had been founded on the rock. "And every one who hears these words of Mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who, indeed, 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, therefore, who hears these words of Mine, and does them, shall be likened to a prudent man, who, indeed, built his house upon the rock; and the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it had been founded on the rock. "And every one who hears these words of Mine, and does them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who, indeed, 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, when the day of Pentecost was being fulfilled 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, distributed among them; and it sat upon each one of them. read more.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the Spirit was giving them to declare. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven; and, when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were greatly surprised, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed, and wondered, saying, "Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans? And how do we hear, each in our own language in which we were born; Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea, and also Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Lybia about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans, and Arabians??e hear them speaking in our own languages the wonderful works of God?" And they were all amazed, and perplexed, saying one to another, "What does this mean?" And others, mocking, said, "They have been filled with new wine!" But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and declared to them, "Men of Judaea, and all those dwelling in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and give ear to my words; for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, for it is the third hour of the day; but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel: 'And it shall be in the last days', saith God, 'I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days will I pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath??lood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come. And it shall be, that every one who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus, the Nazarene, a man accredited from God to you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did through Him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; This Man, delivered up by the settled counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye, having fastened to the cross, through the hand of lawless ones, did slay: Whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death; because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him, 'I beheld the Lord in my presence continually; because He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore, my heart was glad, and my tongue greatly rejoiced; moreover my flesh also shall abide in hope: because Thou wilt not leave My soul behind unto Hades; neither wilt Thou give Thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou didst make known to Me the ways of life; Thou wilt make Me full of gladness with Thy presence.' "Brethren! It is permitted to speak to you freely concerning the patriarch David, that he both died, and was buried; and his tomb is among us till this day; being, therefore, a prophet, and knowing that with an oath God swore to him, that out of the fruit of his loins One should sit on his throne; he, foreseeing it, spake concerning the resurrection of Christ, that neither was He left behind unto Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. "This Jesus God raised up; of which fact we all are witnesses. Being, therefore, exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He was pouring forth this which ye both see and hear. For David did not ascend into Heaven; but he himself says, 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Thy foes a footstool for Thy feet.' "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God made Him both Lord and Christ??his Jesus Whom ye crucified."
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the Spirit was giving them to declare. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven; and, when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were greatly surprised, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed, and wondered, saying, "Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans? And how do we hear, each in our own language in which we were born; Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea, and also Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Lybia about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans, and Arabians??e hear them speaking in our own languages the wonderful works of God?" And they were all amazed, and perplexed, saying one to another, "What does this mean?" And others, mocking, said, "They have been filled with new wine!" But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and declared to them, "Men of Judaea, and all those dwelling in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and give ear to my words; for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, for it is the third hour of the day; but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel: 'And it shall be in the last days', saith God, 'I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days will I pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath??lood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come. And it shall be, that every one who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus, the Nazarene, a man accredited from God to you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did through Him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; This Man, delivered up by the settled counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye, having fastened to the cross, through the hand of lawless ones, did slay: Whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death; because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him, 'I beheld the Lord in my presence continually; because He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore, my heart was glad, and my tongue greatly rejoiced; moreover my flesh also shall abide in hope: because Thou wilt not leave My soul behind unto Hades; neither wilt Thou give Thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou didst make known to Me the ways of life; Thou wilt make Me full of gladness with Thy presence.' "Brethren! It is permitted to speak to you freely concerning the patriarch David, that he both died, and was buried; and his tomb is among us till this day; being, therefore, a prophet, and knowing that with an oath God swore to him, that out of the fruit of his loins One should sit on his throne; he, foreseeing it, spake concerning the resurrection of Christ, that neither was He left behind unto Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. "This Jesus God raised up; of which fact we all are witnesses. Being, therefore, exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He was pouring forth this which ye both see and hear. For David did not ascend into Heaven; but he himself says, 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Thy foes a footstool for Thy feet.' "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God made Him both Lord and Christ??his Jesus Whom ye crucified."
Select readings » Elisha and the widow's oil
Select readings » Stephen's defense
And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" But he said, "Brethren and fathers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Go forth from your country, and from your kindred, and came into the land which I will show you,' read more.
Then, having come forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, after his father died, He removed him into this land, in which ye now dwell; and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his Seed after him, when he had no child. And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God; 'and, after these things, shall they come forth, and they shall serve Me in this place.' And He gave him a covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. "Now there came a famine upon the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers were not finding sustenance. But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; and, at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his father, 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 were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem. But, as the time of the promise which God promised to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king in Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive. In which season Moses was born, and was beautiful to God; who was nourished three months in the house of his father; but, when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian. And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not. On the following day, also, he appeared to them while they were fighting and he was urging them to peace, saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another?' But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you wish to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire in a bush. And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and, as he drew near to observe it, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, becoming terrified, was not daring to examine it. And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground. Surely, I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their groaning; and I came down to rescue them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in 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 for you of your brethren, as He did me. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him on mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers wished not to become obedient, but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt; saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what happened to him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it has been written in a book of the prophets, 'Did ye offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan??he figures which ye made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen; which also our fathers, having received in succession, brought in with Joshua, in taking possession of the nations which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.' But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, 'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?' Ye 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 your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One??f Whom just now ye became the betrayers and murderers; who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it." Now, while hearing these things, they were being cut to their hearts, and were gnashing their teeth over him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!"
Then, having come forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, after his father died, He removed him into this land, in which ye now dwell; and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his Seed after him, when he had no child. And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God; 'and, after these things, shall they come forth, and they shall serve Me in this place.' And He gave him a covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. "Now there came a famine upon the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers were not finding sustenance. But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; and, at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his father, 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 were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem. But, as the time of the promise which God promised to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king in Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive. In which season Moses was born, and was beautiful to God; who was nourished three months in the house of his father; but, when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian. And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not. On the following day, also, he appeared to them while they were fighting and he was urging them to peace, saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another?' But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you wish to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire in a bush. And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and, as he drew near to observe it, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, becoming terrified, was not daring to examine it. And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground. Surely, I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their groaning; and I came down to rescue them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in 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 for you of your brethren, as He did me. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him on mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers wished not to become obedient, but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt; saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what happened to him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it has been written in a book of the prophets, 'Did ye offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan??he figures which ye made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen; which also our fathers, having received in succession, brought in with Joshua, in taking possession of the nations which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.' But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, 'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?' Ye 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 your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One??f Whom just now ye became the betrayers and murderers; who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it." Now, while hearing these things, they were being cut to their hearts, and were gnashing their teeth over him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold I see Heaven 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, He having sat down, His disciples came to Him: and, opening His mouth, He taught them, saying, "Happy are the poor in spirit; because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. read more.
"Happy are those who mourn: because they shall be comforted, "Happy are the meek: because they shall inherit the earth. "Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: because they shall be filled. "Happy are the merciful: because they shall receive mercy. "Happy are the pure in heart; because they shall see God. "Happy are the peacemakers; because they shall be called sons of God. "Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake; because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. "Happy are ye, when they shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and exult; because great is your reward in Heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you. "Ye are the salt of the earth; but, if the salt become tasteless, with what shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, except, when cast without, to be trodden under foot by men. "Ye are the light of the world: a city, set upon a hill, cannot he hid. Nor do they light a lamp, and put it under the measure, but on the lamp-stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.
"Happy are those who mourn: because they shall be comforted, "Happy are the meek: because they shall inherit the earth. "Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: because they shall be filled. "Happy are the merciful: because they shall receive mercy. "Happy are the pure in heart; because they shall see God. "Happy are the peacemakers; because they shall be called sons of God. "Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake; because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. "Happy are ye, when they shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and exult; because great is your reward in Heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you. "Ye are the salt of the earth; but, if the salt become tasteless, with what shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, except, when cast without, to be trodden under foot by men. "Ye are the light of the world: a city, set upon a hill, cannot he hid. Nor do they light a lamp, and put it under the measure, but on the lamp-stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. So 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
Select readings » The wrath of God
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Select readings » The joy of the righteous
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Select readings » The righteous and the wicked in contrast
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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 also 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 we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
and forgive us our sins; for we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
And He spake a parable to them, to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, "There was in a 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 a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the 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 also 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 we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
and forgive us our sins; for we also ourselves forgive every one indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.'" And He said to them, "Who of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; forasmuch as a friend of mine came to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' and he from within, answering, shall say, 'Trouble me not; already the door has been shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give you.' I say to you, even if he will not, rising up, give to him because of his being his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he, rousing himself, will give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: for every one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask bread, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he, instead of a fish, give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
And He spake a parable to them, to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, "There was in a 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 a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the faith on the earth?"
And he would not for a time; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet, because this widow occasions me trouble, I will avenge her, lest, by her persistent coming, she wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not God avenge His elect, who are crying to Him day and night, and He is long suffering over them? I say to you, that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, will the Son of Man, when He cometh, find the faith on the earth?"
Wealth » Accumulation of » Select readings
And He spake a parable to them, saying, "A certain rich man's field yielded bountifully; and he reasoned within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, because I have not where to store my fruits?' And he said, 'This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there will I store all my grain and my goods. read more.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Senseless one! this night they require your soul of you; and the things you prepared, whose shall they be?' So is he who is laying up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Senseless one! this night they require your soul of you; and the things you prepared, whose shall they be?' So is he who is laying up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day. And a certain poor man, Lazarus by name, had been laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs falling from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs, coming, were licking his sores. read more.
And it came to pass that the poor man died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died, and was buried; and in Hades, lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And, crying, he said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; because I am in anguish in this flame!' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that, in your lifetime, you received in full your good things, and Lazarus, likewise, evil things; but now here he is comforted, and you are in anguish. And, in all these things, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed; so that those wishing to cross from hence to you cannot; nor do they pass from thence to us.' And he said, 'I pray you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham says, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' But he said, 'Nay, father Abraham; but, if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rose from the dead.'"
And it came to pass that the poor man died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died, and was buried; and in Hades, lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And, crying, he said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; because I am in anguish in this flame!' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that, in your lifetime, you received in full your good things, and Lazarus, likewise, evil things; but now here he is comforted, and you are in anguish. And, in all these things, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed; so that those wishing to cross from hence to you cannot; nor do they pass from thence to us.' And he said, 'I pray you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham says, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' But he said, 'Nay, father Abraham; but, if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rose from the dead.'"