Crawford Avenue Baptist Church

Romans 12:14-21 English Standard Version14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.ESV Text Edition: 2025. 

Romans 12:14-21 English Standard Version14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.ESV Text Edition: 2025. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-24 English Standard Version13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.Greetings19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.ESV Text Edition: 2025.

John 3:1-15 English Standard VersionYou Must Be Born Again3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Haggai 1 English Standard VersionThe Command to Rebuild the Temple1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. 9 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 11 And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.”The People Obey the Lord12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.” 14 And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.ESV Text Edition: 2025. 

Romans 12:9-13 English Standard VersionMarks of the True Christian9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Romans 12:1-8 English Standard VersionA Living Sacrifice12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.Gifts of Grace3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Romans 12:1-2 English Standard VersionA Living Sacrifice12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Proverbs 1:1-7 English Standard VersionThe Beginning of Knowledge1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:2 To know wisdom and instruction,    to understand words of insight,3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,    in righteousness, justice, and equity;4 to give prudence to the simple,    knowledge and discretion to the youth—5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,    and the one who understands obtain guidance,6 to understand a proverb and a saying,    the words of the wise and their riddles.7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;    fools despise wisdom and instruction.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Acts 20:17-38 English Standard VersionPaul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Acts 20:17-38 English Standard VersionPaul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Acts 20:17-38 English Standard VersionPaul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Acts 20:17-38 English Standard VersionPaul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Psalm 37 English Standard VersionHe Will Not Forsake His SaintsOf David.37 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;    be not envious of wrongdoers!2 For they will soon fade like the grass    and wither like the green herb.3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.4 Delight yourself in the Lord,    and he will give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit your way to the Lord;    trust in him, and he will act.6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,    and your justice as the noonday.7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,    over the man who carries out evil devices!8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;    though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.11 But the meek shall inherit the land    and delight themselves in abundant peace.12 The wicked plots against the righteous    and gnashes his teeth at him,13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,    for he sees that his day is coming.14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows    to bring down the poor and needy,    to slay those whose way is upright;15 their sword shall enter their own heart,    and their bows shall be broken.16 Better is the little that the righteous has    than the abundance of many wicked.17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,    but the Lord upholds the righteous.18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless,    and their heritage will remain forever;19 they are not put to shame in evil times;    in the days of famine they have abundance.20 But the wicked will perish;    the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;    they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back,    but the righteous is generous and gives;22 for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,    but those cursed by him shall be cut off.23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,    when he delights in his way;24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,    for the Lord upholds his hand.25 I have been young, and now am old,    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken    or his children begging for bread.26 He is ever lending generously,    and his children become a blessing.27 Turn away from evil and do good;    so shall you dwell forever.28 For the Lord loves justice;    he will not forsake his saints.They are preserved forever,    but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.29 The righteous shall inherit the land    and dwell upon it forever.30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,    and his tongue speaks justice.31 The law of his God is in his heart;    his steps do not slip.32 The wicked watches for the righteous    and seeks to put him to death.33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power    or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way,    and he will exalt you to inherit the land;    you will look on when the wicked are cut off.35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,    spreading himself like a green laurel tree.36 But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;    though I sought him, he could not be found.37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,    for there is a future for the man of peace.38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;    the future of the wicked shall be cut off.39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;    he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;    he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,    because they take refuge in him.English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Acts 20:1-16 English Standard VersionPaul in Macedonia and Greece20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.Eutychus Raised from the Dead7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

Acts 19:23-41 English Standard Version23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 English Standard VersionA Time for Everything3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:2 a time to be born, and a time to die;a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 a time to love, and a time to hate;a time for war, and a time for peace.The God-Given Task9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Ecclesiastes 2 English Standard VersionThe Vanity of Self-Indulgence2 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” 3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. 4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.The Vanity of Living Wisely12 So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. 13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. 14 The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. 15 Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 16 For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! 17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.The Vanity of Toil18 I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun,21 because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

Acts 19:21-41 English Standard VersionA Riot at Ephesus21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Acts 19:8-20 English Standard Version8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.The Sons of Sceva11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Romans 12:1-2 English Standard VersionA Living Sacrifice12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Acts 19:1-7 English Standard VersionPaul in Ephesus19 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.7 There were about twelve men in all.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

Acts 18:22-28 English Standard Version22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

John 11:1-44 English Standard VersionThe Death of Lazarus11 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”I Am the Resurrection and the Life17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”Jesus Weeps28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”Jesus Raises Lazarus38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

Psalm 118 English Standard VersionHis Steadfast Love Endures Forever118 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;    for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Let Israel say,    “His steadfast love endures forever.”3 Let the house of Aaron say,    “His steadfast love endures forever.”4 Let those who fear the Lord say,    “His steadfast love endures forever.”5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;    the Lord answered me and set me free.6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.    What can man do to me?7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord    than to trust in man.9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord    than to trust in princes.10 All nations surrounded me;    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!12 They surrounded me like bees;    they went out like a fire among thorns;    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,    but the Lord helped me.14 The Lord is my strength and my song;    he has become my salvation.15 Glad songs of salvation    are in the tents of the righteous:“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,16     the right hand of the Lord exalts,    the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”17 I shall not die, but I shall live,    and recount the deeds of the Lord.18 The Lord has disciplined me severely,    but he has not given me over to death.19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,    that I may enter through them    and give thanks to the Lord.20 This is the gate of the Lord;    the righteous shall enter through it.21 I thank you that you have answered me    and have become my salvation.22 The stone that the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone.23 This is the Lord's doing;    it is marvelous in our eyes.24 This is the day that the Lord has made;    let us rejoice and be glad in it.25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!    O Lord, we pray, give us success!26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!    We bless you from the house of the Lord.27 The Lord is God,    and he has made his light to shine upon us.Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,    up to the horns of the altar!28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;    you are my God; I will extol you.29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;    for his steadfast love endures forever!English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

Ephesians 4:1-6 English Standard VersionUnity in the Body of Christ4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 117 English Standard VersionThe Lord's Faithfulness Endures Forever117 Praise the Lord, all nations!    Extol him, all peoples!2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.Praise the Lord!English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

Psalm 116 English Standard VersionI Love the Lord116 I love the Lord, because he has heard    my voice and my pleas for mercy.2 Because he inclined his ear to me,    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.3 The snares of death encompassed me;    the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;    I suffered distress and anguish.4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:    “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;    our God is merciful.6 The Lord preserves the simple;    when I was brought low, he saved me.7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;    for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.8 For you have delivered my soul from death,    my eyes from tears,    my feet from stumbling;9 I will walk before the Lord    in the land of the living.10 I believed, even when I spoke:    “I am greatly afflicted”;11 I said in my alarm,    “All mankind are liars.”12 What shall I render to the Lord    for all his benefits to me?13 I will lift up the cup of salvation    and call on the name of the Lord,14 I will pay my vows to the Lord    in the presence of all his people.15 Precious in the sight of the Lord    is the death of his saints.16 O Lord, I am your servant;    I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.    You have loosed my bonds.17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving    and call on the name of the Lord.18 I will pay my vows to the Lord    in the presence of all his people,19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,    in your midst, O Jerusalem.Praise the Lord!English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 115 English Standard VersionTo Your Name Give Glory115 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,    for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!2 Why should the nations say,    “Where is their God?”3 Our God is in the heavens;    he does all that he pleases.4 Their idols are silver and gold,    the work of human hands.5 They have mouths, but do not speak;    eyes, but do not see.6 They have ears, but do not hear;    noses, but do not smell.7 They have hands, but do not feel;    feet, but do not walk;    and they do not make a sound in their throat.8 Those who make them become like them;    so do all who trust in them.9 O Israel, trust in the Lord!    He is their help and their shield.10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!    He is their help and their shield.11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!    He is their help and their shield.12 The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;    he will bless the house of Israel;    he will bless the house of Aaron;13 he will bless those who fear the Lord,    both the small and the great.14 May the Lord give you increase,    you and your children!15 May you be blessed by the Lord,    who made heaven and earth!16 The heavens are the Lord's heavens,    but the earth he has given to the children of man.17 The dead do not praise the Lord,    nor do any who go down into silence.18 But we will bless the Lord    from this time forth and forevermore.Praise the Lord!English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Matthew 13:1-23 English Standard VersionThe Parable of the Sower13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”The Purpose of the Parables10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,    and you will indeed see but never perceive.”15 For this people's heart has grown dull,    and with their ears they can barely hear,    and their eyes they have closed,lest they should see with their eyes    and hear with their earsand understand with their heart    and turn, and I would heal them.'16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.The Parable of the Sower Explained18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.[b] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Luke 12:13-34 English Standard VersionThe Parable of the Rich Fool13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”' 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”Do Not Be Anxious22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

Psalm 114 English Standard VersionTremble at the Presence of the Lord114 When Israel went out from Egypt,    the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,2 Judah became his sanctuary,    Israel his dominion.3 The sea looked and fled;    Jordan turned back.4 The mountains skipped like rams,    the hills like lambs.5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee?    O Jordan, that you turn back?6 O mountains, that you skip like rams?    O hills, like lambs?7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,    at the presence of the God of Jacob,8 who turns the rock into a pool of water,    the flint into a spring of water.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 113 English Standard VersionWho Is like the Lord Our God?113 Praise the Lord!Praise, O servants of the Lord,    praise the name of the Lord!2 Blessed be the name of the Lord    from this time forth and forevermore!3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,    the name of the Lord is to be praised!4 The Lord is high above all nations,    and his glory above the heavens!5 Who is like the Lord our God,    who is seated on high,6 who looks far down    on the heavens and the earth?7 He raises the poor from the dust    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,8 to make them sit with princes,    with the princes of his people.9 He gives the barren woman a home,    making her the joyous mother of children.Praise the Lord!English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 112 English Standard VersionThe Righteous Will Never Be Moved112  Praise the Lord!Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,    who greatly delights in his commandments!2 His offspring will be mighty in the land;    the generation of the upright will be blessed.3 Wealth and riches are in his house,    and his righteousness endures forever.4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;    he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;    who conducts his affairs with justice.6 For the righteous will never be moved;    he will be remembered forever.7 He is not afraid of bad news;    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,    until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;    his righteousness endures forever;    his horn is exalted in honor.10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;    he gnashes his teeth and melts away;    the desire of the wicked will perish!FootnotesPsalm 112:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each line beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabetPsalm 112:8 Or established (compare 111:8)English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 111 English Standard VersionGreat Are the Lord's Works111 Praise the Lord!I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.2 Great are the works of the Lord,    studied by all who delight in them.3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,    and his righteousness endures forever.4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;    the Lord is gracious and merciful.5 He provides food for those who fear him;    he remembers his covenant forever.6 He has shown his people the power of his works,    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;    all his precepts are trustworthy;8 they are established forever and ever,    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.9 He sent redemption to his people;    he has commanded his covenant forever.    Holy and awesome is his name!10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;    all those who practice it have a good understanding.    His praise endures forever!English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Hebrews 10:19-25 English Standard VersionThe Full Assurance of Faith19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Acts 2:41-47 English Standard Version41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.The Fellowship of the Believers42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 110 English Standard VersionSit at My Right HandA Psalm of David.110 The Lord says to my Lord:    “Sit at my right hand,until I make your enemies your footstool.”2 The Lord sends forth from Zion    your mighty scepter.    Rule in the midst of your enemies!3 Your people will offer themselves freely    on the day of your power,    in holy garments;from the womb of the morning,    the dew of your youth will be yours.4 The Lord has sworn    and will not change his mind,“You are a priest forever    after the order of Melchizedek.”5 The Lord is at your right hand;    he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.6 He will execute judgment among the nations,    filling them with corpses;he will shatter chiefs    over the wide earth.7 He will drink from the brook by the way;    therefore he will lift up his head.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 109 English Standard VersionHelp Me, O Lord My GodTo the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.109 Be not silent, O God of my praise!2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,    speaking against me with lying tongues.3 They encircle me with words of hate,    and attack me without cause.4 In return for my love they accuse me,    but I give myself to prayer.5 So they reward me evil for good,    and hatred for my love.6 Appoint a wicked man against him;    let an accuser stand at his right hand.7 When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;    let his prayer be counted as sin!8 May his days be few;    may another take his office!9 May his children be fatherless    and his wife a widow!10 May his children wander about and beg,    seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!11 May the creditor seize all that he has;    may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!12 Let there be none to extend kindness to him,    nor any to pity his fatherless children!13 May his posterity be cut off;    may his name be blotted out in the second generation!14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord,    and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!15 Let them be before the Lord continually,    that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth!16 For he did not remember to show kindness,    but pursued the poor and needy    and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.17 He loved to curse; let curses come upon him!    He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat;    may it soak into his body like water,    like oil into his bones!19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around him,    like a belt that he puts on every day!20 May this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord,    of those who speak evil against my life!21 But you, O God my Lord,    deal on my behalf for your name's sake;    because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!22 For I am poor and needy,    and my heart is stricken within me.23 I am gone like a shadow at evening;    I am shaken off like a locust.24 My knees are weak through fasting;    my body has become gaunt, with no fat.25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers;    when they see me, they wag their heads.26 Help me, O Lord my God!    Save me according to your steadfast love!27 Let them know that this is your hand;    you, O Lord, have done it!28 Let them curse, but you will bless!    They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!29 May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;    may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;    I will praise him in the midst of the throng.31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,    to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 108 English Standard VersionWith God We Shall Do ValiantlyA Song. A Psalm of David.108 My heart is steadfast, O God!    I will sing and make melody with all my being!2 Awake, O harp and lyre!    I will awake the dawn!3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;    I will sing praises to you among the nations.4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;    your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!    Let your glory be over all the earth!6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,    give salvation by your right hand and answer me!7 God has promised in his holiness:    “With exultation I will divide up Shechem    and portion out the Valley of Succoth.8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;    Ephraim is my helmet,    Judah my scepter.9 Moab is my washbasin;    upon Edom I cast my shoe;    over Philistia I shout in triumph.”10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?    Who will lead me to Edom?11 Have you not rejected us, O God?    You do not go out, O God, with our armies.12 Oh grant us help against the foe,    for vain is the salvation of man!13 With God we shall do valiantly;    it is he who will tread down our foes.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 107 English Standard VersionBook FiveLet the Redeemed of the Lord Say So107 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,    for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,    whom he has redeemed from trouble3 and gathered in from the lands,    from the east and from the west,    from the north and from the south.4 Some wandered in desert wastes,    finding no way to a city to dwell in;5 hungry and thirsty,    their soul fainted within them.6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,    and he delivered them from their distress.7 He led them by a straight way    till they reached a city to dwell in.8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,    for his wondrous works to the children of man!9 For he satisfies the longing soul,    and the hungry soul he fills with good things.10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,    prisoners in affliction and in irons,11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,    and spurned the counsel of the Most High.12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;    they fell down, with none to help.13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,    and he delivered them from their distress.14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,    and burst their bonds apart.15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,    for his wondrous works to the children of man!16 For he shatters the doors of bronze    and cuts in two the bars of iron.17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,    and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;18 they loathed any kind of food,    and they drew near to the gates of death.19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,    and he delivered them from their distress.20 He sent out his word and healed them,    and delivered them from their destruction.21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,    for his wondrous works to the children of man!22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,    and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!23 Some went down to the sea in ships,    doing business on the great waters;24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,    his wondrous works in the deep.25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,    which lifted up the waves of the sea.26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;    their courage melted away in their evil plight;27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men    and were at their wits' end.28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,    and he delivered them from their distress.29 He made the storm be still,    and the waves of the sea were hushed.30 Then they were glad that the waters[c] were quiet,    and he brought them to their desired haven.31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,    for his wondrous works to the children of man!32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,    and praise him in the assembly of the elders.33 He turns rivers into a desert,    springs of water into thirsty ground,34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,    because of the evil of its inhabitants.35 He turns a desert into pools of water,    a parched land into springs of water.36 And there he lets the hungry dwell,    and they establish a city to live in;37 they sow fields and plant vineyards    and get a fruitful yield.38 By his blessing they multiply greatly,    and he does not let their livestock diminish.39 When they are diminished and brought low    through oppression, evil, and sorrow,40 he pours contempt on princes    and makes them wander in trackless wastes;41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction    and makes their families like flocks.42 The upright see it and are glad,    and all wickedness shuts its mouth.43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;    let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

Romans 15:14-21 English Standard VersionPaul the Minister to the Gentiles14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, 21 but as it is written,“Those who have never been told of him will see,    and those who have never heard will understand.”English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Zephaniah 3:14-20 English Standard VersionIsrael's Joy and Restoration14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;    shout, O Israel!Rejoice and exult with all your heart,    O daughter of Jerusalem!15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;    he has cleared away your enemies.The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;    you shall never again fear evil.16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:“Fear not, O Zion;    let not your hands grow weak.17 The Lord your God is in your midst,    a mighty one who will save;he will rejoice over you with gladness;    he will quiet you by his love;he will exult over you with loud singing.18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,    so that you will no longer suffer reproach.19 Behold, at that time I will deal    with all your oppressors.And I will save the lame    and gather the outcast,and I will change their shame into praise    and renown in all the earth.20 At that time I will bring you in,    at the time when I gather you together;for I will make you renowned and praised    among all the peoples of the earth,when I restore your fortunes    before your eyes,” says the Lord.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Luke 2:1-20 English Standard VersionThe Birth of Jesus Christ2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.The Shepherds and the Angels8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest,    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Acts 18:18-22 English Standard VersionPaul Returns to Antioch18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Acts 18:1-17 English Standard VersionPaul in Corinth18 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Micah 5:2-5 English Standard Version2  But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,from you shall come forth for me    one who is to be ruler in Israel,whose coming forth is from of old,    from ancient days.3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time    when she who is in labor has given birth;then the rest of his brothers shall return    to the people of Israel.4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great    to the ends of the earth.5 And he shall be their peace.When the Assyrian comes into our land    and treads in our palaces,then we will raise against him seven shepherds    and eight princes of men;English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Micah 4:1-8 English Standard VersionThe Mountain of the Lord4 It shall come to pass in the latter days    that the mountain of the house of the Lordshall be established as the highest of the mountains,    and it shall be lifted up above the hills;and peoples shall flow to it,2     and many nations shall come, and say:“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,    to the house of the God of Jacob,that he may teach us his ways    and that we may walk in his paths.”For out of Zion shall go forth the law,    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.3 He shall judge between many peoples,    and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away;and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,    and their spears into pruning hooks;nation shall not lift up sword against nation,    neither shall they learn war anymore;4 but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,    and no one shall make them afraid,    for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.5 For all the peoples walk    each in the name of its god,but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God    forever and ever.The Lord Shall Rescue Zion6 In that day, declares the Lord,    I will assemble the lameand gather those who have been driven away    and those whom I have afflicted;7 and the lame I will make the remnant,    and those who were cast off, a strong nation;and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion    from this time forth and forevermore.8 And you, O tower of the flock,    hill of the daughter of Zion,to you shall it come,    the former dominion shall come,    kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem.English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.