ESV: Through the Bible in a Year

Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 4–6 Ecclesiastes 4–6 (Listen) Evil Under the Sun 4 Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. 4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity1 and a striving after wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. 6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. 7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. 14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. 15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that2 youth who was to stand in the king's3 place. 16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind. 4 Fear God 5 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 5 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. 4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you6 into sin, and do not say before the messenger7 that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;8 but9 God is the one you must fear. The Vanity of Wealth and Honor 8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.10 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. 13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger. 18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment11 in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. 6 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2 a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity;12 it is a grievous evil. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy13 no good—do not all go to the one place? 7 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.14 8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind. 10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain15 life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun? Footnotes [1] 4:4 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 7, 8, 16 (see note on 1:2) [2] 4:15 Hebrew the second [3] 4:15 Hebrew his [4] 4:16 Ch 4:17 in Hebrew [5] 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew [6] 5:6 Hebrew your flesh [7] 5:6 Or angel [8] 5:7 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2) [9] 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many; but [10] 5:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain [11] 5:18 Or and see good [12] 6:2 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 4, 9, 11 (see note on 1:2) [13] 6:6 Or see [14] 6:7 Hebrew filled [15] 6:12 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2) (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 77 Psalm 77 (Listen) In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. 77   I cry aloud to God,    aloud to God, and he will hear me.2   In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;    in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;    my soul refuses to be comforted.3   When I remember God, I moan;    when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah 4   You hold my eyelids open;    I am so troubled that I cannot speak.5   I consider the days of old,    the years long ago.6   I said,1 “Let me remember my song in the night;    let me meditate in my heart.”    Then my spirit made a diligent search:7   “Will the Lord spurn forever,    and never again be favorable?8   Has his steadfast love forever ceased?    Are his promises at an end for all time?9   Has God forgotten to be gracious?    Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah 10   Then I said, “I will appeal to this,    to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”2 11   I will remember the deeds of the LORD;    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.12   I will ponder all your work,    and meditate on your mighty deeds.13   Your way, O God, is holy.    What god is great like our God?14   You are the God who works wonders;    you have made known your might among the peoples.15   You with your arm redeemed your people,    the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah 16   When the waters saw you, O God,    when the waters saw you, they were afraid;    indeed, the deep trembled.17   The clouds poured out water;    the skies gave forth thunder;    your arrows flashed on every side.18   The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;    your lightnings lighted up the world;    the earth trembled and shook.19   Your way was through the sea,    your path through the great waters;    yet your footprints were unseen.320   You led your people like a flock    by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Footnotes [1] 77:6 Hebrew lacks I said [2] 77:10 Or This is my grief: that the right hand of the Most High has changed [3] 77:19 Hebrew unknown (ESV) New Testament: John 19 John 19 (Listen) Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified 19 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews1 answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” 12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic2 Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour.3 He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. The Crucifixion So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,' but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.'” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.4 But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,   “They divided my garments among them,    and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. The Death of Jesus 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Jesus' Side Is Pierced 31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” Jesus Is Buried 38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus5 by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds6 in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. Footnotes [1] 19:7 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 12, 14, 31, 38 [2] 19:13 Or Hebrew; also verses 17, 20 [3] 19:14 That is, about noon [4] 19:23 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin [5] 19:39 Greek him [6] 19:39 Greek one hundred litras; a litra (or Roman pound) was equal to about 11 1/2 ounces or 327 grams (ESV)

Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 1–3 Ecclesiastes 1–3 (Listen) All Is Vanity 1 The words of the Preacher,1 the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2   Vanity2 of vanities, says the Preacher,    vanity of vanities! All is vanity.3   What does man gain by all the toil    at which he toils under the sun?4   A generation goes, and a generation comes,    but the earth remains forever.5   The sun rises, and the sun goes down,    and hastens3 to the place where it rises.6   The wind blows to the south    and goes around to the north;  around and around goes the wind,    and on its circuits the wind returns.7   All streams run to the sea,    but the sea is not full;  to the place where the streams flow,    there they flow again.8   All things are full of weariness;    a man cannot utter it;  the eye is not satisfied with seeing,    nor the ear filled with hearing.9   What has been is what will be,    and what has been done is what will be done,    and there is nothing new under the sun.10   Is there a thing of which it is said,    “See, this is new”?  It has been already    in the ages before us.11   There is no remembrance of former things,4    nor will there be any remembrance  of later things5 yet to be    among those who come after. The Vanity of Wisdom 12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart6 to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity7 and a striving after wind.8 15   What is crooked cannot be made straight,    and what is lacking cannot be counted. 16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. 18   For in much wisdom is much vexation,    and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. The Vanity of Self-Indulgence 2 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.9 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,10 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 Wisely 12 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 Toil 18 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 enjoyment11 in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him12 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. A Time for Everything 3 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 Task 9 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.13 From Dust to Dust 16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.14 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? 22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? Footnotes [1] 1:1 Or Convener, or Collector; Hebrew Qoheleth (so throughout Ecclesiastes) [2] 1:2 The Hebrew term hebel, translated vanity or vain, refers concretely to a “mist,” “vapor,” or “mere breath,” and metaphorically to something that is fleeting or elusive (with different nuances depending on the context). It appears five times in this verse and in 29 other verses in Ecclesiastes [3] 1:5 Or and returns panting [4] 1:11 Or former people [5] 1:11 Or later people [6] 1:13 The Hebrew term denotes the center of one's inner life, including mind, will, and emotions [7] 1:14 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2) [8] 1:14 Or a feeding on wind; compare Hosea 12:1 (also in Ecclesiastes 1:17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 16; 6:9) [9] 2:1 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 11, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26 (see note on 1:2) [10] 2:8 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [11] 2:24 Or and make his soul see good [12] 2:25 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts apart from me [13] 3:15 Hebrew what has been pursued [14] 3:19 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2) (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 76 Psalm 76 (Listen) Who Can Stand Before You? To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. 76   In Judah God is known;    his name is great in Israel.2   His abode has been established in Salem,    his dwelling place in Zion.3   There he broke the flashing arrows,    the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah 4   Glorious are you, more majestic    than the mountains full of prey.5   The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;    they sank into sleep;  all the men of war    were unable to use their hands.6   At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,    both rider and horse lay stunned. 7   But you, you are to be feared!    Who can stand before you    when once your anger is roused?8   From the heavens you uttered judgment;    the earth feared and was still,9   when God arose to establish judgment,    to save all the humble of the earth. Selah 10   Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;    the remnant1 of wrath you will put on like a belt.11   Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them;    let all around him bring gifts    to him who is to be feared,12   who cuts off the spirit of princes,    who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. Footnotes [1] 76:10 Or extremity (ESV) New Testament: John 18 John 18 (Listen) Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 18 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”1 Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus2 said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant3 and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews4 arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. Peter Denies Jesus 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants5 and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. The High Priest Questions Jesus 19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Peter Denies Jesus Again 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. Jesus Before Pilate 28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters.6 It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. My Kingdom Is Not of This World 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.7 Footnotes [1] 18:5 Greek I am; also verses 6, 8 [2] 18:6 Greek he [3] 18:10 Or bondservant; twice in this verse [4] 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14, 31, 36, 38 [5] 18:18 Or bondservants; also verse 26 [6] 18:28 Greek the praetorium [7] 18:40 Or an insurrectionist (ESV)

Old Testament: Proverbs 29–31 Proverbs 29–31 (Listen) 29   He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,    will suddenly be broken beyond healing.2   When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.3   He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.4   By justice a king builds up the land,    but he who exacts gifts1 tears it down.5   A man who flatters his neighbor    spreads a net for his feet.6   An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,    but a righteous man sings and rejoices.7   A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;    a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.8   Scoffers set a city aflame,    but the wise turn away wrath.9   If a wise man has an argument with a fool,    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.10   Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless    and seek the life of the upright.211   A fool gives full vent to his spirit,    but a wise man quietly holds it back.12   If a ruler listens to falsehood,    all his officials will be wicked.13   The poor man and the oppressor meet together;    the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.14   If a king faithfully judges the poor,    his throne will be established forever.15   The rod and reproof give wisdom,    but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.16   When the wicked increase, transgression increases,    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.17   Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;    he will give delight to your heart.18   Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,3    but blessed is he who keeps the law.19   By mere words a servant is not disciplined,    for though he understands, he will not respond.20   Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?    There is more hope for a fool than for him.21   Whoever pampers his servant from childhood    will in the end find him his heir.422   A man of wrath stirs up strife,    and one given to anger causes much transgression.23   One's pride will bring him low,    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.24   The partner of a thief hates his own life;    he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.25   The fear of man lays a snare,    but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.26   Many seek the face of a ruler,    but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.27   An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,    but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked. The Words of Agur 30 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.5   The man declares, I am weary, O God;    I am weary, O God, and worn out.62   Surely I am too stupid to be a man.    I have not the understanding of a man.3   I have not learned wisdom,    nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.4   Who has ascended to heaven and come down?    Who has gathered the wind in his fists?  Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?    Who has established all the ends of the earth?  What is his name, and what is his son's name?    Surely you know! 5   Every word of God proves true;    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.6   Do not add to his words,    lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. 7   Two things I ask of you;    deny them not to me before I die:8   Remove far from me falsehood and lying;    give me neither poverty nor riches;    feed me with the food that is needful for me,9   lest I be full and deny you    and say, “Who is the LORD?”  or lest I be poor and steal    and profane the name of my God. 10   Do not slander a servant to his master,    lest he curse you, and you be held guilty. 11   There are those7 who curse their fathers    and do not bless their mothers.12   There are those who are clean in their own eyes    but are not washed of their filth.13   There are those—how lofty are their eyes,    how high their eyelids lift!14   There are those whose teeth are swords,    whose fangs are knives,  to devour the poor from off the earth,    the needy from among mankind. 15   The leech has two daughters:    Give and Give.8  Three things are never satisfied;    four never say, “Enough”:16   Sheol, the barren womb,    the land never satisfied with water,    and the fire that never says, “Enough.” 17   The eye that mocks a father    and scorns to obey a mother  will be picked out by the ravens of the valley    and eaten by the vultures. 18   Three things are too wonderful for me;    four I do not understand:19   the way of an eagle in the sky,    the way of a serpent on a rock,  the way of a ship on the high seas,    and the way of a man with a virgin. 20   This is the way of an adulteress:    she eats and wipes her mouth    and says, “I have done no wrong.” 21   Under three things the earth trembles;    under four it cannot bear up:22   a slave when he becomes king,    and a fool when he is filled with food;23   an unloved woman when she gets a husband,    and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress. 24   Four things on earth are small,    but they are exceedingly wise:25   the ants are a people not strong,    yet they provide their food in the summer;26   the rock badgers are a people not mighty,    yet they make their homes in the cliffs;27   the locusts have no king,    yet all of them march in rank;28   the lizard you can take in your hands,    yet it is in kings' palaces. 29   Three things are stately in their tread;    four are stately in their stride:30   the lion, which is mightiest among beasts    and does not turn back before any;31   the strutting rooster,9 the he-goat,    and a king whose army is with him.10 32   If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,    or if you have been devising evil,    put your hand on your mouth.33   For pressing milk produces curds,    pressing the nose produces blood,    and pressing anger produces strife. The Words of King Lemuel 31 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: 2   What are you doing, my son?11 What are you doing, son of my womb?    What are you doing, son of my vows?3   Do not give your strength to women,    your ways to those who destroy kings.4   It is not for kings, O Lemuel,    it is not for kings to drink wine,    or for rulers to take strong drink,5   lest they drink and forget what has been decreed    and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.6   Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,    and wine to those in bitter distress;127   let them drink and forget their poverty    and remember their misery no more.8   Open your mouth for the mute,    for the rights of all who are destitute.139   Open your mouth, judge righteously,    defend the rights of the poor and needy. The Woman Who Fears the Lord 10   14 An excellent wife who can find?    She is far more precious than jewels.11   The heart of her husband trusts in her,    and he will have no lack of gain.12   She does him good, and not harm,    all the days of her life.13   She seeks wool and flax,    and works with willing hands.14   She is like the ships of the merchant;    she brings her food from afar.15   She rises while it is yet night    and provides food for her household    and portions for her maidens.16   She considers a field and buys it;    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17   She dresses herself15 with strength    and makes her arms strong.18   She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.    Her lamp does not go out at night.19   She puts her hands to the distaff,    and her hands hold the spindle.20   She opens her hand to the poor    and reaches out her hands to the needy.21   She is not afraid of snow for her household,    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.1622   She makes bed coverings for herself;    her clothing is fine linen and purple.23   Her husband is known in the gates    when he sits among the elders of the land.24   She makes linen garments and sells them;    she delivers sashes to the merchant.25   Strength and dignity are her clothing,    and she laughs at the time to come.26   She opens her mouth with wisdom,    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27   She looks well to the ways of her household    and does not eat the bread of idleness.28   Her children rise up and call her blessed;    her husband also, and he praises her:29   “Many women have done excellently,    but you surpass them all.”30   Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,    but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.31   Give her of the fruit of her hands,    and let her works praise her in the gates. Footnotes [1] 29:4 Or who taxes heavily [2] 29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul [3] 29:18 Or the people are discouraged [4] 29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain [5] 30:1 Or Jakeh, the man of Massa [6] 30:1 Revocalization; Hebrew The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal [7] 30:11 Hebrew There is a generation; also verses 12, 13, 14 [8] 30:15 Or “Give, give,” they cry [9] 30:31 Or the magpie, or the greyhound; Hebrew girt-of-loins [10] 30:31 Or against whom there is no rising up [11] 31:2 Hebrew What, my son? [12] 31:6 Hebrew those bitter in soul [13] 31:8 Hebrew are sons of passing away [14] 31:10 Verses 10–31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet [15] 31:17 Hebrew She girds her loins [16] 31:21 Or in double thickness (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 75 Psalm 75 (Listen) God Will Judge with Equity To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. 75   We give thanks to you, O God;    we give thanks, for your name is near.  We1 recount your wondrous deeds. 2   “At the set time that I appoint    I will judge with equity.3   When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,    it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah4   I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,'    and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;5   do not lift up your horn on high,    or speak with haughty neck.'” 6   For not from the east or from the west

Old Testament: Proverbs 27–28 Proverbs 27–28 (Listen) 27   Do not boast about tomorrow,    for you do not know what a day may bring.2   Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;    a stranger, and not your own lips.3   A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,    but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.4   Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,    but who can stand before jealousy?5   Better is open rebuke    than hidden love.6   Faithful are the wounds of a friend;    profuse are the kisses of an enemy.7   One who is full loathes honey,    but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.8   Like a bird that strays from its nest    is a man who strays from his home.9   Oil and perfume make the heart glad,    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.110   Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend,    and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.  Better is a neighbor who is near    than a brother who is far away.11   Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,    that I may answer him who reproaches me.12   The prudent sees danger and hides himself,    but the simple go on and suffer for it.13   Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,    and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.214   Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,    rising early in the morning,    will be counted as cursing.15   A continual dripping on a rainy day    and a quarrelsome wife are alike;16   to restrain her is to restrain the wind    or to grasp3 oil in one's right hand.17   Iron sharpens iron,    and one man sharpens another.418   Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,    and he who guards his master will be honored.19   As in water face reflects face,    so the heart of man reflects the man.20   Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,    and never satisfied are the eyes of man.21   The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,    and a man is tested by his praise.22   Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle    along with crushed grain,    yet his folly will not depart from him. 23   Know well the condition of your flocks,    and give attention to your herds,24   for riches do not last forever;    and does a crown endure to all generations?25   When the grass is gone and the new growth appears    and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,26   the lambs will provide your clothing,    and the goats the price of a field.27   There will be enough goats' milk for your food,    for the food of your household    and maintenance for your girls.28   The wicked flee when no one pursues,    but the righteous are bold as a lion.2   When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,    its stability will long continue.3   A poor man who oppresses the poor    is a beating rain that leaves no food.4   Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,    but those who keep the law strive against them.5   Evil men do not understand justice,    but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.6   Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity    than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.7   The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,    but a companion of gluttons shames his father.8   Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit5    gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.9   If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,    even his prayer is an abomination.10   Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way    will fall into his own pit,    but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.11   A rich man is wise in his own eyes,    but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.12   When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,    but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.13   Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,    but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.14   Blessed is the one who fears the LORD6 always,    but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.15   Like a roaring lion or a charging bear    is a wicked ruler over a poor people.16   A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,    but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.17   If one is burdened with the blood of another,    he will be a fugitive until death;7    let no one help him.18   Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,    but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.19   Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,    but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.20   A faithful man will abound with blessings,    but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.21   To show partiality is not good,    but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.22   A stingy man8 hastens after wealth    and does not know that poverty will come upon him.23   Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor    than he who flatters with his tongue.24   Whoever robs his father or his mother    and says, “That is no transgression,”    is a companion to a man who destroys.25   A greedy man stirs up strife,    but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.26   Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,    but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.27   Whoever gives to the poor will not want,    but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.28   When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,    but when they perish, the righteous increase. Footnotes [1] 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel [2] 27:13 Hebrew a foreign woman; a slight emendation yields (compare Vulgate; see also 20:16) foreigners [3] 27:16 Hebrew to meet with [4] 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another [5] 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor [6] 28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord [7] 28:17 Hebrew until the pit [8] 28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 74 Psalm 74 (Listen) Arise, O God, Defend Your Cause A Maskil1 of Asaph. 74   O God, why do you cast us off forever?    Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?2   Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old,    which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage!    Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.3   Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins;    the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! 4   Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place;    they set up their own signs for signs.5   They were like those who swing axes    in a forest of trees.26   And all its carved wood    they broke down with hatchets and hammers.7   They set your sanctuary on fire;    they profaned the dwelling place of your name,    bringing it down to the ground.8   They said to themselves, “We will utterly subdue them”;    they burned all the meeting places of God in the land. 9   We do not see our signs;    there is no longer any prophet,    and there is none among us who knows how long.10   How long, O God, is the foe to scoff?    Is the enemy to revile your name forever?11   Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?    Take it from the fold of your garment3 and destroy them! 12   Yet God my King is from of old,    working salvation in the midst of the earth.13   You divided the sea by your might;    you broke the heads of the sea monsters4 on the waters.14   You crushed the heads of Leviathan;    you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.15   You split open springs and brooks;    you dried up ever-flowing streams.16   Yours is the day, yours also the night;    you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.17   You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth;    you have made summer and winter. 18   Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs,    and a foolish people reviles your name.19   Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts;    do not forget the life of your poor forever. 20   Have regard for the covenant,    for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.21   Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame;    let the poor and needy praise your name. 22   Arise, O God, defend your cause;    remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!23   Do not forget the clamor of your foes,    the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually! Footnotes [1] 74:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 74:5 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [3] 74:11 Hebrew from your bosom [4] 74:13 Or the great sea creatures (ESV) New Testament: John 16 John 16 (Listen) 16 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. The Work of the Holy Spirit “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?' 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy 16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, ‘because I am going to the Father'?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. I Have Overcome the World 25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.1 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” 29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Footnotes [1] 16:27 Some manuscripts from the Father (ESV)

Old Testament: Proverbs 25–26 Proverbs 25–26 (Listen) More Proverbs of Solomon 25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2   It is the glory of God to conceal things,    but the glory of kings is to search things out.3   As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,    so the heart of kings is unsearchable.4   Take away the dross from the silver,    and the smith has material for a vessel;5   take away the wicked from the presence of the king,    and his throne will be established in righteousness.6   Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence    or stand in the place of the great,7   for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”    than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.   What your eyes have seen8     do not hastily bring into court,1  for2 what will you do in the end,    when your neighbor puts you to shame?9   Argue your case with your neighbor himself,    and do not reveal another's secret,10   lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,    and your ill repute have no end. 11   A word fitly spoken    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.12   Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.13   Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;    he refreshes the soul of his masters.14   Like clouds and wind without rain    is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15   With patience a ruler may be persuaded,    and a soft tongue will break a bone.16   If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.17   Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,    lest he have his fill of you and hate you.18   A man who bears false witness against his neighbor    is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.19   Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble    is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.20   Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,    and like vinegar on soda.21   If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,22   for you will heap burning coals on his head,    and the LORD will reward you.23   The north wind brings forth rain,    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.24   It is better to live in a corner of the housetop    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.25   Like cold water to a thirsty soul,    so is good news from a far country.26   Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27   It is not good to eat much honey,    nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.328   A man without self-control    is like a city broken into and left without walls.26   Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,    so honor is not fitting for a fool.2   Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,    a curse that is causeless does not alight.3   A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,    and a rod for the back of fools.4   Answer not a fool according to his folly,    lest you be like him yourself.5   Answer a fool according to his folly,    lest he be wise in his own eyes.6   Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool    cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.7   Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8   Like one who binds the stone in the sling    is one who gives honor to a fool.9   Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.10   Like an archer who wounds everyone    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.411   Like a dog that returns to his vomit    is a fool who repeats his folly.12   Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?    There is more hope for a fool than for him.13   The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!    There is a lion in the streets!”14   As a door turns on its hinges,    so does a sluggard on his bed.15   The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;    it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.16   The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes    than seven men who can answer sensibly.17   Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own    is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.18   Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death19   is the man who deceives his neighbor    and says, “I am only joking!”20   For lack of wood the fire goes out,    and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.21   As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,    so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22   The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;    they go down into the inner parts of the body.23   Like the glaze5 covering an earthen vessel    are fervent lips with an evil heart.24   Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips    and harbors deceit in his heart;25   when he speaks graciously, believe him not,    for there are seven abominations in his heart;26   though his hatred be covered with deception,    his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27   Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,    and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.28   A lying tongue hates its victims,    and a flattering mouth works ruin. Footnotes [1] 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court [2] 25:8 Hebrew or else [3] 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain [4] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby [5] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 73 Psalm 73 (Listen) Book Three God Is My Strength and Portion Forever A Psalm of Asaph. 73   Truly God is good to Israel,    to those who are pure in heart.2   But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,    my steps had nearly slipped.3   For I was envious of the arrogant    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4   For they have no pangs until death;    their bodies are fat and sleek.5   They are not in trouble as others are;    they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.6   Therefore pride is their necklace;    violence covers them as a garment.7   Their eyes swell out through fatness;    their hearts overflow with follies.8   They scoff and speak with malice;    loftily they threaten oppression.9   They set their mouths against the heavens,    and their tongue struts through the earth.10   Therefore his people turn back to them,    and find no fault in them.111   And they say, “How can God know?    Is there knowledge in the Most High?”12   Behold, these are the wicked;    always at ease, they increase in riches.13   All in vain have I kept my heart clean    and washed my hands in innocence.14   For all the day long I have been stricken    and rebuked every morning.15   If I had said, “I will speak thus,”    I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16   But when I thought how to understand this,    it seemed to me a wearisome task,17   until I went into the sanctuary of God;    then I discerned their end. 18   Truly you set them in slippery places;    you make them fall to ruin.19   How they are destroyed in a moment,    swept away utterly by terrors!20   Like a dream when one awakes,    O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21   When my soul was embittered,    when I was pricked in heart,22   I was brutish and ignorant;    I was like a beast toward you. 23   Nevertheless, I am continually with you;    you hold my right hand.24   You guide me with your counsel,    and afterward you will receive me to glory.25   Whom have I in heaven but you?    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26   My flesh and my heart may fail,    but God is the strength2 of my heart and my portion forever. 27   For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28   But for me it is good to be near God;    I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,    that I may tell of all your works. Footnotes [1] 73:10 Probable reading; Hebrew the waters of a full cup are drained by them [2] 73:26 Hebrew rock (ESV) New Testament: John 15 John 15 (Listen) I Am the True Vine 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,1 for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. The Hatred of the World 18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,2 but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.' 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. Footnotes [1] 15:15 Or bondservants, or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface); likewise for servant later in this verse and in verse 20 [2] 15:22 Greek they would not have sin; also verse 24 (ESV)

Old Testament: Proverbs 23–24 Proverbs 23–24 (Listen) 23   When you sit down to eat with a ruler,    observe carefully what1 is before you,2   and put a knife to your throat    if you are given to appetite.3   Do not desire his delicacies,    for they are deceptive food.4   Do not toil to acquire wealth;    be discerning enough to desist.5   When your eyes light on it, it is gone,    for suddenly it sprouts wings,    flying like an eagle toward heaven.6   Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;2    do not desire his delicacies,7   for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.3    “Eat and drink!” he says to you,    but his heart is not with you.8   You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,    and waste your pleasant words.9   Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,    for he will despise the good sense of your words.10   Do not move an ancient landmark    or enter the fields of the fatherless,11   for their Redeemer is strong;    he will plead their cause against you.12   Apply your heart to instruction    and your ear to words of knowledge.13   Do not withhold discipline from a child;    if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.14   If you strike him with the rod,    you will save his soul from Sheol.15   My son, if your heart is wise,    my heart too will be glad.16   My inmost being4 will exult    when your lips speak what is right.17   Let not your heart envy sinners,    but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.18   Surely there is a future,    and your hope will not be cut off. 19   Hear, my son, and be wise,    and direct your heart in the way.20   Be not among drunkards5    or among gluttonous eaters of meat,21   for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,    and slumber will clothe them with rags. 22   Listen to your father who gave you life,    and do not despise your mother when she is old.23   Buy truth, and do not sell it;    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.24   The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.25   Let your father and mother be glad;    let her who bore you rejoice. 26   My son, give me your heart,    and let your eyes observe6 my ways.27   For a prostitute is a deep pit;    an adulteress7 is a narrow well.28   She lies in wait like a robber    and increases the traitors among mankind. 29   Who has woe? Who has sorrow?    Who has strife? Who has complaining?  Who has wounds without cause?    Who has redness of eyes?30   Those who tarry long over wine;    those who go to try mixed wine.31   Do not look at wine when it is red,    when it sparkles in the cup    and goes down smoothly.32   In the end it bites like a serpent    and stings like an adder.33   Your eyes will see strange things,    and your heart utter perverse things.34   You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,    like one who lies on the top of a mast.835   “They struck me,” you will say,9 “but I was not hurt;    they beat me, but I did not feel it.  When shall I awake?    I must have another drink.”24   Be not envious of evil men,    nor desire to be with them,2   for their hearts devise violence,    and their lips talk of trouble. 3   By wisdom a house is built,    and by understanding it is established;4   by knowledge the rooms are filled    with all precious and pleasant riches.5   A wise man is full of strength,    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,6   for by wise guidance you can wage your war,    and in abundance of counselors there is victory.7   Wisdom is too high for a fool;    in the gate he does not open his mouth. 8   Whoever plans to do evil    will be called a schemer.9   The devising10 of folly is sin,    and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind. 10   If you faint in the day of adversity,    your strength is small.11   Rescue those who are being taken away to death;    hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.12   If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,    and will he not repay man according to his work? 13   My son, eat honey, for it is good,    and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.14   Know that wisdom is such to your soul;    if you find it, there will be a future,    and your hope will not be cut off. 15   Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;    do no violence to his home;16   for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,    but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. 17   Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,    and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18   lest the LORD see it and be displeased,    and turn away his anger from him. 19   Fret not yourself because of evildoers,    and be not envious of the wicked,20   for the evil man has no future;    the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 21   My son, fear the LORD and the king,    and do not join with those who do otherwise,22   for disaster will arise suddenly from them,    and who knows the ruin that will come from them both? More Sayings of the Wise 23 These also are sayings of the wise.   Partiality in judging is not good.24   Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”    will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,25   but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,    and a good blessing will come upon them.26   Whoever gives an honest answer    kisses the lips. 27   Prepare your work outside;    get everything ready for yourself in the field,    and after that build your house. 28   Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,    and do not deceive with your lips.29   Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;    I will pay the man back for what he has done.” 30   I passed by the field of a sluggard,    by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,31   and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;    the ground was covered with nettles,    and its stone wall was broken down.32   Then I saw and considered it;    I looked and received instruction.33   A little sleep, a little slumber,    a little folding of the hands to rest,34   and poverty will come upon you like a robber,    and want like an armed man. Footnotes [1] 23:1 Or who [2] 23:6 Hebrew whose eye is evil [3] 23:7 Or for as he calculates in his soul, so is he [4] 23:16 Hebrew My kidneys [5] 23:20 Hebrew those who drink too much wine [6] 23:26 Or delight in [7] 23:27 Hebrew a foreign woman [8] 23:34 Or of the rigging [9] 23:35 Hebrew lacks you will say [10] 24:9 Or scheming (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 72 Psalm 72 (Listen) Give the King Your Justice Of Solomon. 72   Give the king your justice, O God,    and your righteousness to the royal son!2   May he judge your people with righteousness,    and your poor with justice!3   Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,    and the hills, in righteousness!4   May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,    give deliverance to the children of the needy,    and crush the oppressor! 5   May they fear you1 while the sun endures,    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!6   May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,    like showers that water the earth!7   In his days may the righteous flourish,    and peace abound, till the moon be no more! 8   May he have dominion from sea to sea,    and from the River2 to the ends of the earth!9   May desert tribes bow down before him,    and his enemies lick the dust!10   May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands    render him tribute;  may the kings of Sheba and Seba    bring gifts!11   May all kings fall down before him,    all nations serve him! 12   For he delivers the needy when he calls,    the poor and him who has no helper.13   He has pity on the weak and the needy,    and saves the lives of the needy.14   From oppression and violence he redeems their life,    and precious is their blood in his sight. 15   Long may he live;    may gold of Sheba be given to him!  May prayer be made for him continually,    and blessings invoked for him all the day!16   May there be abundance of grain in the land;    on the tops of the mountains may it wave;    may its fruit be like Lebanon;  and may people blossom in the cities    like the grass of the field!17   May his name endure forever,    his fame continue as long as the sun!  May people be blessed in him,    all nations call him blessed! 18   Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,    who alone does wondrous things.19   Blessed be his glorious name forever;    may the whole earth be filled with his glory!      Amen and Amen! 20   The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. Footnotes [1] 72:5 Septuagint He shall endure [2] 72:8 That is, the Euphrates (ESV) New Testament: John 14 John 14 (Listen) I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life 14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;1 believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?2 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”3 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.4 From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me5 anything in my name, I will do it. Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,6 to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be7 in you. 18 

Old Testament: Proverbs 21–22 Proverbs 21–22 (Listen) 21   The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;    he turns it wherever he will.2   Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,    but the LORD weighs the heart.3   To do righteousness and justice    is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.4   Haughty eyes and a proud heart,    the lamp1 of the wicked, are sin.5   The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,    but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.6   The getting of treasures by a lying tongue    is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.27   The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,    because they refuse to do what is just.8   The way of the guilty is crooked,    but the conduct of the pure is upright.9   It is better to live in a corner of the housetop    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.10   The soul of the wicked desires evil;    his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.11   When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;    when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.12   The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;    he throws the wicked down to ruin.13   Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor    will himself call out and not be answered.14   A gift in secret averts anger,    and a concealed bribe,3 strong wrath.15   When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous    but terror to evildoers.16   One who wanders from the way of good sense    will rest in the assembly of the dead.17   Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;    he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.18   The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,    and the traitor for the upright.19   It is better to live in a desert land    than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.20   Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,    but a foolish man devours it.21   Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness    will find life, righteousness, and honor.22   A wise man scales the city of the mighty    and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.23   Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue    keeps himself out of trouble.24   “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man    who acts with arrogant pride.25   The desire of the sluggard kills him,    for his hands refuse to labor.26   All day long he craves and craves,    but the righteous gives and does not hold back.27   The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;    how much more when he brings it with evil intent.28   A false witness will perish,    but the word of a man who hears will endure.29   A wicked man puts on a bold face,    but the upright gives thought to4 his ways.30   No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel    can avail against the LORD.31   The horse is made ready for the day of battle,    but the victory belongs to the LORD.22   A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,    and favor is better than silver or gold.2   The rich and the poor meet together;    the LORD is the Maker of them all.3   The prudent sees danger and hides himself,    but the simple go on and suffer for it.4   The reward for humility and fear of the LORD    is riches and honor and life.55   Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;    whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.6   Train up a child in the way he should go;    even when he is old he will not depart from it.7   The rich rules over the poor,    and the borrower is the slave of the lender.8   Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,    and the rod of his fury will fail.9   Whoever has a bountiful6 eye will be blessed,    for he shares his bread with the poor.10   Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,    and quarreling and abuse will cease.11   He who loves purity of heart,    and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.12   The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,    but he overthrows the words of the traitor.13   The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!    I shall be killed in the streets!”14   The mouth of forbidden7 women is a deep pit;    he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.15   Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,    but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.16   Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,    or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Words of the Wise 17   Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,    and apply your heart to my knowledge,18   for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,    if all of them are ready on your lips.19   That your trust may be in the LORD,    I have made them known to you today, even to you.20   Have I not written for you thirty sayings    of counsel and knowledge,21   to make you know what is right and true,    that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? 22   Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,    or crush the afflicted at the gate,23   for the LORD will plead their cause    and rob of life those who rob them.24   Make no friendship with a man given to anger,    nor go with a wrathful man,25   lest you learn his ways    and entangle yourself in a snare.26   Be not one of those who give pledges,    who put up security for debts.27   If you have nothing with which to pay,    why should your bed be taken from under you?28   Do not move the ancient landmark    that your fathers have set.29   Do you see a man skillful in his work?    He will stand before kings;    he will not stand before obscure men. Footnotes [1] 21:4 Or the plowing [2] 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death [3] 21:14 Hebrew a bribe in the bosom [4] 21:29 Or establishes [5] 22:4 Or The reward for humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and honor and life [6] 22:9 Hebrew good [7] 22:14 Hebrew strange (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 71 Psalm 71 (Listen) Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent 71   In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;    let me never be put to shame!2   In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;    incline your ear to me, and save me!3   Be to me a rock of refuge,    to which I may continually come;  you have given the command to save me,    for you are my rock and my fortress. 4   Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.5   For you, O Lord, are my hope,    my trust, O LORD, from my youth.6   Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;    you are he who took me from my mother's womb.  My praise is continually of you. 7   I have been as a portent to many,    but you are my strong refuge.8   My mouth is filled with your praise,    and with your glory all the day.9   Do not cast me off in the time of old age;    forsake me not when my strength is spent.10   For my enemies speak concerning me;    those who watch for my life consult together11   and say, “God has forsaken him;    pursue and seize him,    for there is none to deliver him.” 12   O God, be not far from me;    O my God, make haste to help me!13   May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;    with scorn and disgrace may they be covered    who seek my hurt.14   But I will hope continually    and will praise you yet more and more.15   My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,    of your deeds of salvation all the day,    for their number is past my knowledge.16   With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come;    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 17   O God, from my youth you have taught me,    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.18   So even to old age and gray hairs,    O God, do not forsake me,  until I proclaim your might to another generation,    your power to all those to come.19   Your righteousness, O God,    reaches the high heavens.  You who have done great things,    O God, who is like you?20   You who have made me see many troubles and calamities    will revive me again;  from the depths of the earth    you will bring me up again.21   You will increase my greatness    and comfort me again. 22   I will also praise you with the harp    for your faithfulness, O my God;  I will sing praises to you with the lyre,    O Holy One of Israel.23   My lips will shout for joy,    when I sing praises to you;    my soul also, which you have redeemed.24   And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,  for they have been put to shame and disappointed    who sought to do me hurt. (ESV) New Testament: John 13 John 13 (Listen) Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet 13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet,1 but is completely clean. And you2 are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant3 is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled,4 ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” One of You Will Betray Me 21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side,5 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus6 of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. A New Commandment 31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.' 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial 36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times. Footnotes [1] 13:10 Some manuscripts omit except for his feet [2] 13:10 The Greek words for you in this verse are plural [3] 13:16 Or bondservant, or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) [4] 13:18 Greek But in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled [5] 13:23 Greek in the bosom of Jesus [6] 13:24 Greek lacks

Old Testament: Proverbs 19–20 Proverbs 19–20 (Listen) 19   Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity    than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.2   Desire1 without knowledge is not good,    and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.3   When a man's folly brings his way to ruin,    his heart rages against the LORD.4   Wealth brings many new friends,    but a poor man is deserted by his friend.5   A false witness will not go unpunished,    and he who breathes out lies will not escape.6   Many seek the favor of a generous man,2    and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.7   All a poor man's brothers hate him;    how much more do his friends go far from him!  He pursues them with words, but does not have them.38   Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;    he who keeps understanding will discover good.9   A false witness will not go unpunished,    and he who breathes out lies will perish.10   It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,    much less for a slave to rule over princes.11   Good sense makes one slow to anger,    and it is his glory to overlook an offense.12   A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion,    but his favor is like dew on the grass.13   A foolish son is ruin to his father,    and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.14   House and wealth are inherited from fathers,    but a prudent wife is from the LORD.15   Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,    and an idle person will suffer hunger.16   Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;    he who despises his ways will die.17   Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,    and he will repay him for his deed.18   Discipline your son, for there is hope;    do not set your heart on putting him to death.19   A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,    for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.20   Listen to advice and accept instruction,    that you may gain wisdom in the future.21   Many are the plans in the mind of a man,    but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.22   What is desired in a man is steadfast love,    and a poor man is better than a liar.23   The fear of the LORD leads to life,    and whoever has it rests satisfied;    he will not be visited by harm.24   The sluggard buries his hand in the dish    and will not even bring it back to his mouth.25   Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;    reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.26   He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother    is a son who brings shame and reproach.27   Cease to hear instruction, my son,    and you will stray from the words of knowledge.28   A worthless witness mocks at justice,    and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.29   Condemnation is ready for scoffers,    and beating for the backs of fools.20   Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,    and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.42   The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;    whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.3   It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,    but every fool will be quarreling.4   The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;    he will seek at harvest and have nothing.5   The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water,    but a man of understanding will draw it out.6   Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,    but a faithful man who can find?7   The righteous who walks in his integrity—    blessed are his children after him!8   A king who sits on the throne of judgment    winnows all evil with his eyes.9   Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;    I am clean from my sin”?10   Unequal5 weights and unequal measures    are both alike an abomination to the LORD.11   Even a child makes himself known by his acts,    by whether his conduct is pure and upright.612   The hearing ear and the seeing eye,    the LORD has made them both.13   Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty;    open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.14   “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,    but when he goes away, then he boasts.15   There is gold and abundance of costly stones,    but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.16   Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,    and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.717   Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,    but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.18   Plans are established by counsel;    by wise guidance wage war.19   Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;    therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.820   If one curses his father or his mother,    his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.21   An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning    will not be blessed in the end.22   Do not say, “I will repay evil”;    wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.23   Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD,    and false scales are not good.24   A man's steps are from the LORD;    how then can man understand his way?25   It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”    and to reflect only after making vows.26   A wise king winnows the wicked    and drives the wheel over them.27   The spirit9 of man is the lamp of the LORD,    searching all his innermost parts.28   Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,    and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.29   The glory of young men is their strength,    but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.30   Blows that wound cleanse away evil;    strokes make clean the innermost parts. Footnotes [1] 19:2 Or A soul [2] 19:6 Or of a noble [3] 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew sentence is uncertain [4] 20:1 Or will not become wise [5] 20:10 Or Two kinds of; also verse 23 [6] 20:11 Or Even a child can dissemble in his actions, though his conduct seems pure and upright [7] 20:16 Or for an adulteress (compare 27:13) [8] 20:19 Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips [9] 20:27 Hebrew breath (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 70 Psalm 70 (Listen) O Lord, Do Not Delay To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering. 70   Make haste, O God, to deliver me!    O LORD, make haste to help me!2   Let them be put to shame and confusion    who seek my life!  Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor    who delight in my hurt!3   Let them turn back because of their shame    who say, “Aha, Aha!” 4   May all who seek you    rejoice and be glad in you!  May those who love your salvation    say evermore, “God is great!”5   But I am poor and needy;    hasten to me, O God!  You are my help and my deliverer;    O LORD, do not delay! (ESV) New Testament: John 12 John 12 (Listen) Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany 12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound1 of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii2 and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it3 for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” The Plot to Kill Lazarus 9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus4 was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The Triumphal Entry 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15   “Fear not, daughter of Zion;  behold, your king is coming,    sitting on a donkey's colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” Some Greeks Seek Jesus 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” The Unbelief of the People When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:   “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40   “He has blinded their eyes    and hardened their heart,  lest they see with their eyes,    and understand with their heart, and turn,    and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. Jesus Came to Save the World 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” Footnotes [1] 12:3 Greek litra; a litra (or Roman pound) was equal to about 11 1/2 ounces or 327 grams [2] 12:5 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer [3] 12:7 Or Leave her alone; she intended to keep it [4] 12:9 Greek he (ESV)

Old Testament: Proverbs 17–18 Proverbs 17–18 (Listen) 17   Better is a dry morsel with quiet    than a house full of feasting1 with strife.2   A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully    and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.3   The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,    and the LORD tests hearts.4   An evildoer listens to wicked lips,    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.5   Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;    he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.6   Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,    and the glory of children is their fathers.7   Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;    still less is false speech to a prince.8   A bribe is like a magic2 stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;    wherever he turns he prospers.9   Whoever covers an offense seeks love,    but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.10   A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding    than a hundred blows into a fool.11   An evil man seeks only rebellion,    and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.12   Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs    rather than a fool in his folly.13   If anyone returns evil for good,    evil will not depart from his house.14   The beginning of strife is like letting out water,    so quit before the quarrel breaks out.15   He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous    are both alike an abomination to the LORD.16   Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom    when he has no sense?17   A friend loves at all times,    and a brother is born for adversity.18   One who lacks sense gives a pledge    and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.19   Whoever loves transgression loves strife;    he who makes his door high seeks destruction.20   A man of crooked heart does not discover good,    and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.21   He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow,    and the father of a fool has no joy.22   A joyful heart is good medicine,    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.23   The wicked accepts a bribe in secret3    to pervert the ways of justice.24   The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.25   A foolish son is a grief to his father    and bitterness to her who bore him.26   To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,    nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.27   Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.28   Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;    when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.18   Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;    he breaks out against all sound judgment.2   A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,    but only in expressing his opinion.3   When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,    and with dishonor comes disgrace.4   The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;    the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.5   It is not good to be partial to4 the wicked    or to deprive the righteous of justice.6   A fool's lips walk into a fight,    and his mouth invites a beating.7   A fool's mouth is his ruin,    and his lips are a snare to his soul.8   The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;    they go down into the inner parts of the body.9   Whoever is slack in his work    is a brother to him who destroys.10   The name of the LORD is a strong tower;    the righteous man runs into it and is safe.11   A rich man's wealth is his strong city,    and like a high wall in his imagination.12   Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,    but humility comes before honor.13   If one gives an answer before he hears,    it is his folly and shame.14   A man's spirit will endure sickness,    but a crushed spirit who can bear?15   An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.16   A man's gift makes room for him    and brings him before the great.17   The one who states his case first seems right,    until the other comes and examines him.18   The lot puts an end to quarrels    and decides between powerful contenders.19   A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,    and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.20   From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;    he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.21   Death and life are in the power of the tongue,    and those who love it will eat its fruits.22   He who finds a wife finds a good thing    and obtains favor from the LORD.23   The poor use entreaties,    but the rich answer roughly.24   A man of many companions may come to ruin,    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Footnotes [1] 17:1 Hebrew sacrifices [2] 17:8 Or precious [3] 17:23 Hebrew a bribe from the bosom [4] 18:5 Hebrew to lift the face of (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 69:19–36 Psalm 69:19–36 (Listen) 19   You know my reproach,    and my shame and my dishonor;    my foes are all known to you.20   Reproaches have broken my heart,    so that I am in despair.  I looked for pity, but there was none,    and for comforters, but I found none.21   They gave me poison for food,    and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. 22   Let their own table before them become a snare;    and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.123   Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,    and make their loins tremble continually.24   Pour out your indignation upon them,    and let your burning anger overtake them.25   May their camp be a desolation;    let no one dwell in their tents.26   For they persecute him whom you have struck down,    and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.27   Add to them punishment upon punishment;    may they have no acquittal from you.228   Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;    let them not be enrolled among the righteous. 29   But I am afflicted and in pain;    let your salvation, O God, set me on high! 30   I will praise the name of God with a song;    I will magnify him with thanksgiving.31   This will please the LORD more than an ox    or a bull with horns and hoofs.32   When the humble see it they will be glad;    you who seek God, let your hearts revive.33   For the LORD hears the needy    and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. 34   Let heaven and earth praise him,    the seas and everything that moves in them.35   For God will save Zion    and build up the cities of Judah,  and people shall dwell there and possess it;36     the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,    and those who love his name shall dwell in it. Footnotes [1] 69:22 Hebrew; a slight revocalization yields (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Jerome) a snare, and retribution and a trap [2] 69:27 Hebrew may they not come into your righteousness (ESV) New Testament: John 11 John 11 (Listen) The Death of Lazarus 11 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 Lazarus1 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,2 said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” I Am the Resurrection and the Life 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles3 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.4 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 Weeps 28 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 moved5 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 Lazarus 38 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.” The Plot to Kill Jesus 45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for6 Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him. Footnotes [1] 11:6 Greek he; also verse 17 [2] 11:16 Greek Didymus [3] 11:18 Greek fifteen stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters [4] 11:25 Some manuscripts omit and the life [5] 11:33 Or was indignant; also verse 38 [6] 11:56 Greek were seeking for (ESV)

Old Testament: Proverbs 15–16 Proverbs 15–16 (Listen) 15   A soft answer turns away wrath,    but a harsh word stirs up anger.2   The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.3   The eyes of the LORD are in every place,    keeping watch on the evil and the good.4   A gentle1 tongue is a tree of life,    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.5   A fool despises his father's instruction,    but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.6   In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.7   The lips of the wise spread knowledge;    not so the hearts of fools.28   The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,    but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.9   The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,    but he loves him who pursues righteousness.10   There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;    whoever hates reproof will die.11   Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD;    how much more the hearts of the children of man!12   A scoffer does not like to be reproved;    he will not go to the wise.13   A glad heart makes a cheerful face,    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.14   The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.15   All the days of the afflicted are evil,    but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.16   Better is a little with the fear of the LORD    than great treasure and trouble with it.17   Better is a dinner of herbs where love is    than a fattened ox and hatred with it.18   A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.19   The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,    but the path of the upright is a level highway.20   A wise son makes a glad father,    but a foolish man despises his mother.21   Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,    but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.22   Without counsel plans fail,    but with many advisers they succeed.23   To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,    and a word in season, how good it is!24   The path of life leads upward for the prudent,    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.25   The LORD tears down the house of the proud    but maintains the widow's boundaries.26   The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,    but gracious words are pure.27   Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,    but he who hates bribes will live.28   The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.29   The LORD is far from the wicked,    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.30   The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,    and good news refreshes3 the bones.31   The ear that listens to life-giving reproof    will dwell among the wise.32   Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,    but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.33   The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,    and humility comes before honor. 16   The plans of the heart belong to man,    but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.2   All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,    but the LORD weighs the spirit.43   Commit your work to the LORD,    and your plans will be established.4   The LORD has made everything for its purpose,    even the wicked for the day of trouble.5   Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD;    be assured, he will not go unpunished.6   By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,    and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.7   When a man's ways please the LORD,    he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.8   Better is a little with righteousness    than great revenues with injustice.9   The heart of man plans his way,    but the LORD establishes his steps.10   An oracle is on the lips of a king;    his mouth does not sin in judgment.11   A just balance and scales are the LORD's;    all the weights in the bag are his work.12   It is an abomination to kings to do evil,    for the throne is established by righteousness.13   Righteous lips are the delight of a king,    and he loves him who speaks what is right.14   A king's wrath is a messenger of death,    and a wise man will appease it.15   In the light of a king's face there is life,    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.16   How much better to get wisdom than gold!    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.17   The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;    whoever guards his way preserves his life.18   Pride goes before destruction,    and a haughty spirit before a fall.19   It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor    than to divide the spoil with the proud.20   Whoever gives thought to the word5 will discover good,    and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.21   The wise of heart is called discerning,    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.22   Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,    but the instruction of fools is folly.23   The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.24   Gracious words are like a honeycomb,    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.25   There is a way that seems right to a man,    but its end is the way to death.626   A worker's appetite works for him;    his mouth urges him on.27   A worthless man plots evil,    and his speech7 is like a scorching fire.28   A dishonest man spreads strife,    and a whisperer separates close friends.29   A man of violence entices his neighbor    and leads him in a way that is not good.30   Whoever winks his eyes plans8 dishonest things;    he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.31   Gray hair is a crown of glory;    it is gained in a righteous life.32   Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.33   The lot is cast into the lap,    but its every decision is from the LORD. Footnotes [1] 15:4 Or healing [2] 15:7 Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast [3] 15:30 Hebrew makes fat [4] 16:2 Or spirits [5] 16:20 Or to a matter [6] 16:25 Hebrew ways of death [7] 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips [8] 16:30 Hebrew to plan (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 69:1–18 Psalm 69:1–18 (Listen) Save Me, O God To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. Of David. 69   Save me, O God!    For the waters have come up to my neck.12   I sink in deep mire,    where there is no foothold;  I have come into deep waters,    and the flood sweeps over me.3   I am weary with my crying out;    my throat is parched.  My eyes grow dim    with waiting for my God. 4   More in number than the hairs of my head    are those who hate me without cause;  mighty are those who would destroy me,    those who attack me with lies.  What I did not steal    must I now restore?5   O God, you know my folly;    the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. 6   Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,    O Lord GOD of hosts;  let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,    O God of Israel.7   For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,    that dishonor has covered my face.8   I have become a stranger to my brothers,    an alien to my mother's sons. 9   For zeal for your house has consumed me,    and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.10   When I wept and humbled2 my soul with fasting,    it became my reproach.11   When I made sackcloth my clothing,    I became a byword to them.12   I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,    and the drunkards make songs about me. 13   But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.    At an acceptable time, O God,    in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.14   Deliver me    from sinking in the mire;  let me be delivered from my enemies    and from the deep waters.15   Let not the flood sweep over me,    or the deep swallow me up,    or the pit close its mouth over me. 16   Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;    according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.17   Hide not your face from your servant,    for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.18   Draw near to my soul, redeem me;    ransom me because of my enemies! Footnotes [1] 69:1 Or waters threaten my life [2] 69:10 Hebrew lacks and humbled (ESV) New Testament: John 10 John 10 (Listen) I Am the Good Shepherd 10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” I and the Father Are One 22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,1 is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods'? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,' because I said, ‘I am the Son of God'? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. 40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there. Footnotes [1] 10:29 Some manuscripts What my Father has given to me (ESV)

Old Testament: Proverbs 13–14 Proverbs 13–14 (Listen) 13   A wise son hears his father's instruction,    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.2   From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,    but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.3   Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;    he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.4   The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,    while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.5   The righteous hates falsehood,    but the wicked brings shame1 and disgrace.6   Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,    but sin overthrows the wicked.7   One pretends to be rich,2 yet has nothing;    another pretends to be poor,3 yet has great wealth.8   The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,    but a poor man hears no threat.9   The light of the righteous rejoices,    but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.10   By insolence comes nothing but strife,    but with those who take advice is wisdom.11   Wealth gained hastily4 will dwindle,    but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.12   Hope deferred makes the heart sick,    but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.13   Whoever despises the word5 brings destruction on himself,    but he who reveres the commandment6 will be rewarded.14   The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,    that one may turn away from the snares of death.15   Good sense wins favor,    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.716   Every prudent man acts with knowledge,    but a fool flaunts his folly.17   A wicked messenger falls into trouble,    but a faithful envoy brings healing.18   Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,    but whoever heeds reproof is honored.19   A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.20   Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.21   Disaster8 pursues sinners,    but the righteous are rewarded with good.22   A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,    but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.23   The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,    but it is swept away through injustice.24   Whoever spares the rod hates his son,    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.925   The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.14   The wisest of women builds her house,    but folly with her own hands tears it down.2   Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD,    but he who is devious in his ways despises him.3   By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,10    but the lips of the wise will preserve them.4   Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,    but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.5   A faithful witness does not lie,    but a false witness breathes out lies.6   A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,    but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.7   Leave the presence of a fool,    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.8   The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,    but the folly of fools is deceiving.9   Fools mock at the guilt offering,    but the upright enjoy acceptance.1110   The heart knows its own bitterness,    and no stranger shares its joy.11   The house of the wicked will be destroyed,    but the tent of the upright will flourish.12   There is a way that seems right to a man,    but its end is the way to death.1213   Even in laughter the heart may ache,    and the end of joy may be grief.14   The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,    and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.15   The simple believes everything,    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.16   One who is wise is cautious13 and turns away from evil,    but a fool is reckless and careless.17   A man of quick temper acts foolishly,    and a man of evil devices is hated.18   The simple inherit folly,    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.19   The evil bow down before the good,    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.20   The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,    but the rich has many friends.21   Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,    but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.22   Do they not go astray who devise evil?    Those who devise good meet14 steadfast love and faithfulness.23   In all toil there is profit,    but mere talk tends only to poverty.24   The crown of the wise is their wealth,    but the folly of fools brings folly.25   A truthful witness saves lives,    but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.26   In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,    and his children will have a refuge.27   The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,    that one may turn away from the snares of death.28   In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,    but without people a prince is ruined.29   Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,    but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.30   A tranquil15 heart gives life to the flesh,    but envy16 makes the bones rot.31   Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,    but he who is generous to the needy honors him.32   The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,    but the righteous finds refuge in his death.33   Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,    but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.1734   Righteousness exalts a nation,    but sin is a reproach to any people.35   A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor,    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully. Footnotes [1] 13:5 Or stench [2] 13:7 Or One makes himself rich [3] 13:7 Or another makes himself poor [4] 13:11 Or by fraud [5] 13:13 Or a word [6] 13:13 Or a commandment [7] 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut [8] 13:21 Or Evil [9] 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early [10] 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride [11] 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance [12] 14:12 Hebrew ways of death [13] 14:16 Or fears [the Lord] [14] 14:22 Or show [15] 14:30 Or healing [16] 14:30 Or jealousy [17] 14:33 Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 68:19–35 Psalm 68:19–35 (Listen) 19   Blessed be the Lord,    who daily bears us up;    God is our salvation. Selah20   Our God is a God of salvation,    and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.21   But God will strike the heads of his enemies,    the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.22   The Lord said,    “I will bring them back from Bashan,  I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,23   that you may strike your feet in their blood,    that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.” 24   Your procession is1 seen, O God,    the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—25   the singers in front, the musicians last,    between them virgins playing tambourines:26   “Bless God in the great congregation,    the LORD, O you2 who are of Israel's fountain!”27   There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,    the princes of Judah in their throng,    the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. 28   Summon your power, O God,3    the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.29   Because of your temple at Jerusalem    kings shall bear gifts to you.30   Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,    the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.  Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute;    scatter the peoples who delight in war.431   Nobles shall come from Egypt;    Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. 32   O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;    sing praises to the Lord, Selah33   to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.34   Ascribe power to God,    whose majesty is over Israel,    and whose power is in the skies.35   Awesome is God from his5 sanctuary;    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.  Blessed be God! Footnotes [1] 68:24 Or has been [2] 68:26 The Hebrew for you is plural here [3] 68:28 By revocalization (compare Septuagint); Hebrew Your God has summoned your power [4] 68:30 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain [5] 68:35 Septuagint; Hebrew your (ESV) New Testament: John 9 John 9 (Listen) Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind 9 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” 18 The Jews1 did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus2 to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”3 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt;4 but now that you say, ‘We see,' your guilt remains. Footnotes [1] 9:18 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 22 [2] 9:22 Greek him [3]

Old Testament: Proverbs 11–12 Proverbs 11–12 (Listen) 11   A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,    but a just weight is his delight.2   When pride comes, then comes disgrace,    but with the humble is wisdom.3   The integrity of the upright guides them,    but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.4   Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,    but righteousness delivers from death.5   The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,    but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.6   The righteousness of the upright delivers them,    but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.7   When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,    and the expectation of wealth1 perishes too.8   The righteous is delivered from trouble,    and the wicked walks into it instead.9   With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.10   When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,    and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.11   By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,    but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.12   Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,    but a man of understanding remains silent.13   Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.14   Where there is no guidance, a people falls,    but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.15   Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,    but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.16   A gracious woman gets honor,    and violent men get riches.17   A man who is kind benefits himself,    but a cruel man hurts himself.18   The wicked earns deceptive wages,    but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.19   Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,    but he who pursues evil will die.20   Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD,    but those of blameless ways are his delight.21   Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished,    but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.22   Like a gold ring in a pig's snout    is a beautiful woman without discretion.23   The desire of the righteous ends only in good,    the expectation of the wicked in wrath.24   One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.25   Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,    and one who waters will himself be watered.26   The people curse him who holds back grain,    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.27   Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,2    but evil comes to him who searches for it.28   Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,    but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.29   Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.30   The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,    and whoever captures souls is wise.31   If the righteous is repaid on earth,    how much more the wicked and the sinner!12   Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,    but he who hates reproof is stupid.2   A good man obtains favor from the LORD,    but a man of evil devices he condemns.3   No one is established by wickedness,    but the root of the righteous will never be moved.4   An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.5   The thoughts of the righteous are just;    the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.6   The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,    but the mouth of the upright delivers them.7   The wicked are overthrown and are no more,    but the house of the righteous will stand.8   A man is commended according to his good sense,    but one of twisted mind is despised.9   Better to be lowly and have a servant    than to play the great man and lack bread.10   Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.11   Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,    but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.12   Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.13   An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,3    but the righteous escapes from trouble.14   From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,    and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.15   The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,    but a wise man listens to advice.16   The vexation of a fool is known at once,    but the prudent ignores an insult.17   Whoever speaks4 the truth gives honest evidence,    but a false witness utters deceit.18   There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.19   Truthful lips endure forever,    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.20   Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,    but those who plan peace have joy.21   No ill befalls the righteous,    but the wicked are filled with trouble.22   Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,    but those who act faithfully are his delight.23   A prudent man conceals knowledge,    but the heart of fools proclaims folly.24   The hand of the diligent will rule,    while the slothful will be put to forced labor.25   Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,    but a good word makes him glad.26   One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,5    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.27   Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.628   In the path of righteousness is life,    and in its pathway there is no death. Footnotes [1] 11:7 Or of his strength, or of iniquity [2] 11:27 Or acceptance [3] 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare [4] 12:17 Hebrew breathes out [5] 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully [6] 12:27 Or but diligence is precious wealth (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 68:1–18 Psalm 68:1–18 (Listen) God Shall Scatter His Enemies To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song. 68   God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;    and those who hate him shall flee before him!2   As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;    as wax melts before fire,    so the wicked shall perish before God!3   But the righteous shall be glad;    they shall exult before God;    they shall be jubilant with joy! 4   Sing to God, sing praises to his name;    lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;  his name is the LORD;    exult before him!5   Father of the fatherless and protector of widows    is God in his holy habitation.6   God settles the solitary in a home;    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,    but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7   O God, when you went out before your people,    when you marched through the wilderness, Selah8   the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,    before God, the One of Sinai,    before God,1 the God of Israel.9   Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;    you restored your inheritance as it languished;10   your flock2 found a dwelling in it;    in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. 11   The Lord gives the word;    the women who announce the news are a great host:12     “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”  The women at home divide the spoil—13     though you men lie among the sheepfolds—  the wings of a dove covered with silver,    its pinions with shimmering gold.14   When the Almighty scatters kings there,    let snow fall on Zalmon. 15   O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;    O many-peaked3 mountain, mountain of Bashan!16   Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,    at the mount that God desired for his abode,    yes, where the LORD will dwell forever?17   The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,    thousands upon thousands;    the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.18   You ascended on high,    leading a host of captives in your train    and receiving gifts among men,  even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there. Footnotes [1] 68:8 Or before God, even Sinai before God [2] 68:10 Or your congregation [3] 68:15 Or hunch-backed; also verse 16 (ESV) New Testament: John 8 John 8 (Listen) 8 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]] I Am the Light of the World 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father1 who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. 21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come'?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him. The Truth Will Set You Free 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free'?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave2 to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” You Are of Your Father the Devil 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” Before Abraham Was, I Am 48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.'3 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”4 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. Footnotes [1] 8:16 Some manuscripts he [2] 8:34

Old Testament: Proverbs 9–10 Proverbs 9–10 (Listen) The Way of Wisdom 9   Wisdom has built her house;    she has hewn her seven pillars.2   She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;    she has also set her table.3   She has sent out her young women to call    from the highest places in the town,4   “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”    To him who lacks sense she says,5   “Come, eat of my bread    and drink of the wine I have mixed.6   Leave your simple ways,1 and live,    and walk in the way of insight.” 7   Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.8   Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;    reprove a wise man, and he will love you.9   Give instruction2 to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;    teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.10   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.11   For by me your days will be multiplied,    and years will be added to your life.12   If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;    if you scoff, you alone will bear it. The Way of Folly 13   The woman Folly is loud;    she is seductive3 and knows nothing.14   She sits at the door of her house;    she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,15   calling to those who pass by,    who are going straight on their way,16   “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”    And to him who lacks sense she says,17   “Stolen water is sweet,    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”18   But he does not know that the dead4 are there,    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. The Proverbs of Solomon 10 The proverbs of Solomon.   A wise son makes a glad father,    but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.2   Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,    but righteousness delivers from death.3   The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.4   A slack hand causes poverty,    but the hand of the diligent makes rich.5   He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,    but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.6   Blessings are on the head of the righteous,    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.57   The memory of the righteous is a blessing,    but the name of the wicked will rot.8   The wise of heart will receive commandments,    but a babbling fool will come to ruin.9   Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,    but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.10   Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,    and a babbling fool will come to ruin.11   The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.12   Hatred stirs up strife,    but love covers all offenses.13   On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,    but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.14   The wise lay up knowledge,    but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.15   A rich man's wealth is his strong city;    the poverty of the poor is their ruin.16   The wage of the righteous leads to life,    the gain of the wicked to sin.17   Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,    but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.18   The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,    and whoever utters slander is a fool.19   When words are many, transgression is not lacking,    but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.20   The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;    the heart of the wicked is of little worth.21   The lips of the righteous feed many,    but fools die for lack of sense.22   The blessing of the LORD makes rich,    and he adds no sorrow with it.623   Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,    but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.24   What the wicked dreads will come upon him,    but the desire of the righteous will be granted.25   When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,    but the righteous is established forever.26   Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,    so is the sluggard to those who send him.27   The fear of the LORD prolongs life,    but the years of the wicked will be short.28   The hope of the righteous brings joy,    but the expectation of the wicked will perish.29   The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless,    but destruction to evildoers.30   The righteous will never be removed,    but the wicked will not dwell in the land.31   The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,    but the perverse tongue will be cut off.32   The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,    but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. Footnotes [1] 9:6 Or Leave the company of the simple [2] 9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction [3] 9:13 Or full of simpleness [4] 9:18 Hebrew Rephaim [5] 10:6 Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also verse 11 [6] 10:22 Or and toil adds nothing to it (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 67 Psalm 67 (Listen) Make Your Face Shine upon Us To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. 67   May God be gracious to us and bless us    and make his face to shine upon us, Selah2   that your way may be known on earth,    your saving power among all nations.3   Let the peoples praise you, O God;    let all the peoples praise you! 4   Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,    for you judge the peoples with equity    and guide the nations upon earth. Selah5   Let the peoples praise you, O God;    let all the peoples praise you! 6   The earth has yielded its increase;    God, our God, shall bless us.7   God shall bless us;    let all the ends of the earth fear him! (ESV) New Testament: John 7 John 7 (Listen) Jesus at the Feast of Booths 7 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews1 were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers2 said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him. 6 Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the feast. I am not3 going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee. 10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him. 14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning,4 when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone's will is to do God's5 will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” Can This Be the Christ? 25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. 33 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” 35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,' and, ‘Where I am you cannot come'?” Rivers of Living Water 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as6 the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Division Among the People 40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” [The earliest manuscripts do not include 7:53–8:11.]7 The Woman Caught in Adultery 53 [[They went each to his own house, Footnotes [1] 7:1 Or Judeans; Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time [2] 7:3 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 5, 10 [3] 7:8 Some manuscripts add yet [4] 7:15 Or this man knows his letters [5] 7:17 Greek his [6] 7:38 Or let him come to me, and let him who believes in me drink. As [7] 7:53 Some manuscripts do not include 7:53–8:11; others add the passage here or after 7:36 or after 21:25 or after Luke 21:38, with variations in the text (ESV)

Old Testament: Proverbs 7–8 Proverbs 7–8 (Listen) Warning Against the Adulteress 7   My son, keep my words    and treasure up my commandments with you;2   keep my commandments and live;    keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;3   bind them on your fingers;    write them on the tablet of your heart.4   Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”    and call insight your intimate friend,5   to keep you from the forbidden1 woman,    from the adulteress2 with her smooth words. 6   For at the window of my house    I have looked out through my lattice,7   and I have seen among the simple,    I have perceived among the youths,    a young man lacking sense,8   passing along the street near her corner,    taking the road to her house9   in the twilight, in the evening,    at the time of night and darkness. 10   And behold, the woman meets him,    dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.311   She is loud and wayward;    her feet do not stay at home;12   now in the street, now in the market,    and at every corner she lies in wait.13   She seizes him and kisses him,    and with bold face she says to him,14   “I had to offer sacrifices,4    and today I have paid my vows;15   so now I have come out to meet you,    to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.16   I have spread my couch with coverings,    colored linens from Egyptian linen;17   I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,    aloes, and cinnamon.18   Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;    let us delight ourselves with love.19   For my husband is not at home;    he has gone on a long journey;20   he took a bag of money with him;    at full moon he will come home.” 21   With much seductive speech she persuades him;    with her smooth talk she compels him.22   All at once he follows her,    as an ox goes to the slaughter,  or as a stag is caught fast523     till an arrow pierces its liver;  as a bird rushes into a snare;    he does not know that it will cost him his life. 24   And now, O sons, listen to me,    and be attentive to the words of my mouth.25   Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;    do not stray into her paths,26   for many a victim has she laid low,    and all her slain are a mighty throng.27   Her house is the way to Sheol,    going down to the chambers of death. The Blessings of Wisdom 8   Does not wisdom call?    Does not understanding raise her voice?2   On the heights beside the way,    at the crossroads she takes her stand;3   beside the gates in front of the town,    at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:4   “To you, O men, I call,    and my cry is to the children of man.5   O simple ones, learn prudence;    O fools, learn sense.6   Hear, for I will speak noble things,    and from my lips will come what is right,7   for my mouth will utter truth;    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.8   All the words of my mouth are righteous;    there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.9   They are all straight to him who understands,    and right to those who find knowledge.10   Take my instruction instead of silver,    and knowledge rather than choice gold,11   for wisdom is better than jewels,    and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. 12   “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,    and I find knowledge and discretion.13   The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.  Pride and arrogance and the way of evil    and perverted speech I hate.14   I have counsel and sound wisdom;    I have insight; I have strength.15   By me kings reign,    and rulers decree what is just;16   by me princes rule,    and nobles, all who govern justly.617   I love those who love me,    and those who seek me diligently find me.18   Riches and honor are with me,    enduring wealth and righteousness.19   My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,    and my yield than choice silver.20   I walk in the way of righteousness,    in the paths of justice,21   granting an inheritance to those who love me,    and filling their treasuries. 22   “The LORD possessed7 me at the beginning of his work,8    the first of his acts of old.23   Ages ago I was set up,    at the first, before the beginning of the earth.24   When there were no depths I was brought forth,    when there were no springs abounding with water.25   Before the mountains had been shaped,    before the hills, I was brought forth,26   before he had made the earth with its fields,    or the first of the dust of the world.27   When he established the heavens, I was there;    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,28   when he made firm the skies above,    when he established9 the fountains of the deep,29   when he assigned to the sea its limit,    so that the waters might not transgress his command,  when he marked out the foundations of the earth,30     then I was beside him, like a master workman,  and I was daily his10 delight,    rejoicing before him always,31   rejoicing in his inhabited world    and delighting in the children of man. 32   “And now, O sons, listen to me:    blessed are those who keep my ways.33   Hear instruction and be wise,    and do not neglect it.34   Blessed is the one who listens to me,    watching daily at my gates,    waiting beside my doors.35   For whoever finds me finds life    and obtains favor from the LORD,36   but he who fails to find me injures himself;    all who hate me love death.” Footnotes [1] 7:5 Hebrew strange [2] 7:5 Hebrew the foreign woman [3] 7:10 Hebrew guarded in heart [4] 7:14 Hebrew peace offerings [5] 7:22 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool [6] 8:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth [7] 8:22 Or fathered; Septuagint created [8] 8:22 Hebrew way [9] 8:28 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [10] 8:30 Or daily filled with (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 66 Psalm 66 (Listen) How Awesome Are Your Deeds To the choirmaster. A Song. A Psalm. 66   Shout for joy to God, all the earth;2     sing the glory of his name;    give to him glorious praise!3   Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!    So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.4   All the earth worships you    and sings praises to you;    they sing praises to your name.” Selah 5   Come and see what God has done:    he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.6   He turned the sea into dry land;    they passed through the river on foot.  There did we rejoice in him,7     who rules by his might forever,  whose eyes keep watch on the nations—    let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah 8   Bless our God, O peoples;    let the sound of his praise be heard,9   who has kept our soul among the living    and has not let our feet slip.10   For you, O God, have tested us;    you have tried us as silver is tried.11   You brought us into the net;    you laid a crushing burden on our backs;12   you let men ride over our heads;    we went through fire and through water;  yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance. 13   I will come into your house with burnt offerings;    I will perform my vows to you,14   that which my lips uttered    and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.15   I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,    with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;  I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah 16   Come and hear, all you who fear God,    and I will tell what he has done for my soul.17   I cried to him with my mouth,    and high praise was on1 my tongue.218   If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,    the Lord would not have listened.19   But truly God has listened;    he has attended to the voice of my prayer. 20   Blessed be God,    because he has not rejected my prayer    or removed his steadfast love from me! Footnotes [1] 66:17 Hebrew under [2] 66:17 Or and he was exalted with my tongue (ESV) New Testament: John 6 John 6 (Listen) Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 6 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii1 worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. Jesus Walks on Water 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,2 they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. I Am the Bread of Life 22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven'?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—46 not that anyone has seen the Fath

Old Testament: Proverbs 5–6 Proverbs 5–6 (Listen) Warning Against Adultery 5   My son, be attentive to my wisdom;    incline your ear to my understanding,2   that you may keep discretion,    and your lips may guard knowledge.3   For the lips of a forbidden1 woman drip honey,    and her speech2 is smoother than oil,4   but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,    sharp as a two-edged sword.5   Her feet go down to death;    her steps follow the path to3 Sheol;6   she does not ponder the path of life;    her ways wander, and she does not know it. 7   And now, O sons, listen to me,    and do not depart from the words of my mouth.8   Keep your way far from her,    and do not go near the door of her house,9   lest you give your honor to others    and your years to the merciless,10   lest strangers take their fill of your strength,    and your labors go to the house of a foreigner,11   and at the end of your life you groan,    when your flesh and body are consumed,12   and you say, “How I hated discipline,    and my heart despised reproof!13   I did not listen to the voice of my teachers    or incline my ear to my instructors.14   I am at the brink of utter ruin    in the assembled congregation.” 15   Drink water from your own cistern,    flowing water from your own well.16   Should your springs be scattered abroad,    streams of water in the streets?17   Let them be for yourself alone,    and not for strangers with you.18   Let your fountain be blessed,    and rejoice in the wife of your youth,19     a lovely deer, a graceful doe.  Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;    be intoxicated4 always in her love.20   Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman    and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?521   For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD,    and he ponders6 all his paths.22   The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,    and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.23   He dies for lack of discipline,    and because of his great folly he is led astray. Practical Warnings 6   My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,    have given your pledge for a stranger,2   if you are snared in the words of your mouth,    caught in the words of your mouth,3   then do this, my son, and save yourself,    for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:    go, hasten,7 and plead urgently with your neighbor.4   Give your eyes no sleep    and your eyelids no slumber;5   save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,8    like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6   Go to the ant, O sluggard;    consider her ways, and be wise.7   Without having any chief,    officer, or ruler,8   she prepares her bread in summer    and gathers her food in harvest.9   How long will you lie there, O sluggard?    When will you arise from your sleep?10   A little sleep, a little slumber,    a little folding of the hands to rest,11   and poverty will come upon you like a robber,    and want like an armed man. 12   A worthless person, a wicked man,    goes about with crooked speech,13   winks with his eyes, signals9 with his feet,    points with his finger,14   with perverted heart devises evil,    continually sowing discord;15   therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;    in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. 16   There are six things that the LORD hates,    seven that are an abomination to him:17   haughty eyes, a lying tongue,    and hands that shed innocent blood,18   a heart that devises wicked plans,    feet that make haste to run to evil,19   a false witness who breathes out lies,    and one who sows discord among brothers. Warnings Against Adultery 20   My son, keep your father's commandment,    and forsake not your mother's teaching.21   Bind them on your heart always;    tie them around your neck.22   When you walk, they10 will lead you;    when you lie down, they will watch over you;    and when you awake, they will talk with you.23   For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,    and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,24   to preserve you from the evil woman,11    from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.1225   Do not desire her beauty in your heart,    and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;26   for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,13    but a married woman14 hunts down a precious life.27   Can a man carry fire next to his chest    and his clothes not be burned?28   Or can one walk on hot coals    and his feet not be scorched?29   So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;    none who touches her will go unpunished.30   People do not despise a thief if he steals    to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,31   but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;    he will give all the goods of his house.32   He who commits adultery lacks sense;    he who does it destroys himself.33   He will get wounds and dishonor,    and his disgrace will not be wiped away.34   For jealousy makes a man furious,    and he will not spare when he takes revenge.35   He will accept no compensation;    he will refuse though you multiply gifts. Footnotes [1] 5:3 Hebrew strange; also verse 20 [2] 5:3 Hebrew palate [3] 5:5 Hebrew lay hold of [4] 5:19 Hebrew be led astray; also verse 20 [5] 5:20 Hebrew a foreign woman [6] 5:21 Or makes level [7] 6:3 Or humble yourself [8] 6:5 Hebrew lacks of the hunter [9] 6:13 Hebrew scrapes [10] 6:22 Hebrew it; three times in this verse [11] 6:24 Revocalization (compare Septuagint) yields from the wife of a neighbor [12] 6:24 Hebrew the foreign woman [13] 6:26 Or (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate) for a prostitute leaves a man with nothing but a loaf of bread [14] 6:26 Hebrew a man's wife (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 65 Psalm 65 (Listen) O God of Our Salvation To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song. 65   Praise is due to you,1 O God, in Zion,    and to you shall vows be performed.2   O you who hear prayer,    to you shall all flesh come.3   When iniquities prevail against me,    you atone for our transgressions.4   Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,    to dwell in your courts!  We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,    the holiness of your temple! 5   By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,    O God of our salvation,  the hope of all the ends of the earth    and of the farthest seas;6   the one who by his strength established the mountains,    being girded with might;7   who stills the roaring of the seas,    the roaring of their waves,    the tumult of the peoples,8   so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.  You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. 9   You visit the earth and water it;2    you greatly enrich it;  the river of God is full of water;    you provide their grain,    for so you have prepared it.10   You water its furrows abundantly,    settling its ridges,  softening it with showers,    and blessing its growth.11   You crown the year with your bounty;    your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.12   The pastures of the wilderness overflow,    the hills gird themselves with joy,13   the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,    the valleys deck themselves with grain,    they shout and sing together for joy. Footnotes [1] 65:1 Or Praise waits for you in silence [2] 65:9 Or and make it overflow (ESV) New Testament: John 5 John 5 (Listen) The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath 5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic1 called Bethesda,2 which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.3 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews4 said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.'” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk'?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” Jesus Is Equal with God 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. The Authority of the Son 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father5 does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Witnesses to Jesus 30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” Footnotes [1] 5:2 Or Hebrew [2] 5:2 Some manuscripts Bethsaida [3] 5:3 Some manuscripts insert, wholly or in part, waiting for the moving of the water; 4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had

Old Testament: Proverbs 3–4 Proverbs 3–4 (Listen) Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart 3   My son, do not forget my teaching,    but let your heart keep my commandments,2   for length of days and years of life    and peace they will add to you. 3   Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;    bind them around your neck;    write them on the tablet of your heart.4   So you will find favor and good success1    in the sight of God and man. 5   Trust in the LORD with all your heart,    and do not lean on your own understanding.6   In all your ways acknowledge him,    and he will make straight your paths.7   Be not wise in your own eyes;    fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.8   It will be healing to your flesh2    and refreshment3 to your bones. 9   Honor the LORD with your wealth    and with the firstfruits of all your produce;10   then your barns will be filled with plenty,    and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11   My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline    or be weary of his reproof,12   for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,    as a father the son in whom he delights. Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom 13   Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,    and the one who gets understanding,14   for the gain from her is better than gain from silver    and her profit better than gold.15   She is more precious than jewels,    and nothing you desire can compare with her.16   Long life is in her right hand;    in her left hand are riches and honor.17   Her ways are ways of pleasantness,    and all her paths are peace.18   She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;    those who hold her fast are called blessed. 19   The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;    by understanding he established the heavens;20   by his knowledge the deeps broke open,    and the clouds drop down the dew. 21   My son, do not lose sight of these—    keep sound wisdom and discretion,22   and they will be life for your soul    and adornment for your neck.23   Then you will walk on your way securely,    and your foot will not stumble.24   If you lie down, you will not be afraid;    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.25   Do not be afraid of sudden terror    or of the ruin4 of the wicked, when it comes,26   for the LORD will be your confidence    and will keep your foot from being caught.27   Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,5    when it is in your power to do it. 28   Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,    tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.29   Do not plan evil against your neighbor,    who dwells trustingly beside you.30   Do not contend with a man for no reason,    when he has done you no harm.31   Do not envy a man of violence    and do not choose any of his ways,32   for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD,    but the upright are in his confidence.33   The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,    but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.34   Toward the scorners he is scornful,    but to the humble he gives favor.635   The wise will inherit honor,    but fools get7 disgrace. A Father's Wise Instruction 4   Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,    and be attentive, that you may gain8 insight,2   for I give you good precepts;    do not forsake my teaching.3   When I was a son with my father,    tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,4   he taught me and said to me,  “Let your heart hold fast my words;    keep my commandments, and live.5   Get wisdom; get insight;    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.6   Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;    love her, and she will guard you.7   The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,    and whatever you get, get insight.8   Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;    she will honor you if you embrace her.9   She will place on your head a graceful garland;    she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” 10   Hear, my son, and accept my words,    that the years of your life may be many.11   I have taught you the way of wisdom;    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.12   When you walk, your step will not be hampered,    and if you run, you will not stumble.13   Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;    guard her, for she is your life.14   Do not enter the path of the wicked,    and do not walk in the way of the evil.15   Avoid it; do not go on it;    turn away from it and pass on.16   For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.17   For they eat the bread of wickedness    and drink the wine of violence.18   But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.19   The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;    they do not know over what they stumble. 20   My son, be attentive to my words;    incline your ear to my sayings.21   Let them not escape from your sight;    keep them within your heart.22   For they are life to those who find them,    and healing to all their9 flesh.23   Keep your heart with all vigilance,    for from it flow the springs of life.24   Put away from you crooked speech,    and put devious talk far from you.25   Let your eyes look directly forward,    and your gaze be straight before you.26   Ponder10 the path of your feet;    then all your ways will be sure.27   Do not swerve to the right or to the left;    turn your foot away from evil. Footnotes [1] 3:4 Or repute [2] 3:8 Hebrew navel [3] 3:8 Or medicine [4] 3:25 Hebrew storm [5] 3:27 Hebrew Do not withhold good from its owners [6] 3:34 Or grace [7] 3:35 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [8] 4:1 Hebrew know [9] 4:22 Hebrew his [10] 4:26 Or Make level (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 64 Psalm 64 (Listen) Hide Me from the Wicked To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 64   Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;    preserve my life from dread of the enemy.2   Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,    from the throng of evildoers,3   who whet their tongues like swords,    who aim bitter words like arrows,4   shooting from ambush at the blameless,    shooting at him suddenly and without fear.5   They hold fast to their evil purpose;    they talk of laying snares secretly,  thinking, “Who can see them?”6     They search out injustice,  saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”    For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. 7   But God shoots his arrow at them;    they are wounded suddenly.8   They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them;    all who see them will wag their heads.9   Then all mankind fears;    they tell what God has brought about    and ponder what he has done. 10   Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD    and take refuge in him!  Let all the upright in heart exult! (ESV) New Testament: John 4 John 4 (Listen) Jesus and the Woman of Samaria 4 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.1 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.2 The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” 27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him. 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” 39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” 43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast. Jesus Heals an Official's Son 46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you3 see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants4 met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour5 the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. Footnotes [1] 4:6 That is, about noon [2] 4:14 Greek forever [3] 4:48 The Greek for you is plural; twice in this verse [4] 4:51 Or bondservants [5] 4:52 That is, at 1 p.m. (ESV)

Old Testament: Proverbs 1–2 Proverbs 1–2 (Listen) The Beginning of Knowledge 1 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. The Enticement of Sinners 8   Hear, my son, your father's instruction,    and forsake not your mother's teaching,9   for they are a graceful garland for your head    and pendants for your neck.10   My son, if sinners entice you,    do not consent.11   If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;    let us ambush the innocent without reason;12   like Sheol let us swallow them alive,    and whole, like those who go down to the pit;13   we shall find all precious goods,    we shall fill our houses with plunder;14   throw in your lot among us;    we will all have one purse”—15   my son, do not walk in the way with them;    hold back your foot from their paths,16   for their feet run to evil,    and they make haste to shed blood.17   For in vain is a net spread    in the sight of any bird,18   but these men lie in wait for their own blood;    they set an ambush for their own lives.19   Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;    it takes away the life of its possessors. The Call of Wisdom 20   Wisdom cries aloud in the street,    in the markets she raises her voice;21   at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:22   “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?  How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing    and fools hate knowledge?23   If you turn at my reproof,1  behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;    I will make my words known to you.24   Because I have called and you refused to listen,    have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,25   because you have ignored all my counsel    and would have none of my reproof,26   I also will laugh at your calamity;    I will mock when terror strikes you,27   when terror strikes you like a storm    and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,    when distress and anguish come upon you.28   Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;    they will seek me diligently but will not find me.29   Because they hated knowledge    and did not choose the fear of the LORD,30   would have none of my counsel    and despised all my reproof,31   therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,    and have their fill of their own devices.32   For the simple are killed by their turning away,    and the complacency of fools destroys them;33   but whoever listens to me will dwell secure    and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” The Value of Wisdom 2   My son, if you receive my words    and treasure up my commandments with you,2   making your ear attentive to wisdom    and inclining your heart to understanding;3   yes, if you call out for insight    and raise your voice for understanding,4   if you seek it like silver    and search for it as for hidden treasures,5   then you will understand the fear of the LORD    and find the knowledge of God.6   For the LORD gives wisdom;    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;7   he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;    he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,8   guarding the paths of justice    and watching over the way of his saints.9   Then you will understand righteousness and justice    and equity, every good path;10   for wisdom will come into your heart,    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;11   discretion will watch over you,    understanding will guard you,12   delivering you from the way of evil,    from men of perverted speech,13   who forsake the paths of uprightness    to walk in the ways of darkness,14   who rejoice in doing evil    and delight in the perverseness of evil,15   men whose paths are crooked,    and who are devious in their ways. 16   So you will be delivered from the forbidden2 woman,    from the adulteress3 with her smooth words,17   who forsakes the companion of her youth    and forgets the covenant of her God;18   for her house sinks down to death,    and her paths to the departed;419   none who go to her come back,    nor do they regain the paths of life. 20   So you will walk in the way of the good    and keep to the paths of the righteous.21   For the upright will inhabit the land,    and those with integrity will remain in it,22   but the wicked will be cut off from the land,    and the treacherous will be rooted out of it. Footnotes [1] 1:23 Or Will you turn away at my reproof? [2] 2:16 Hebrew strange [3] 2:16 Hebrew foreign woman [4] 2:18 Hebrew to the Rephaim (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 63 Psalm 63 (Listen) My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 63   O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;    my soul thirsts for you;  my flesh faints for you,    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.2   So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,    beholding your power and glory.3   Because your steadfast love is better than life,    my lips will praise you.4   So I will bless you as long as I live;    in your name I will lift up my hands. 5   My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,6   when I remember you upon my bed,    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;7   for you have been my help,    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.8   My soul clings to you;    your right hand upholds me. 9   But those who seek to destroy my life    shall go down into the depths of the earth;10   they shall be given over to the power of the sword;    they shall be a portion for jackals.11   But the king shall rejoice in God;    all who swear by him shall exult,    for the mouths of liars will be stopped. (ESV) New Testament: John 3 John 3 (Listen) You Must Be Born Again 3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus1 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 again2 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.3 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You4 must be born again.' 8 The wind5 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 you6 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.7 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.8 For God So Loved the World 16 “For God so loved the world,9 that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John the Baptist Exalts Christ 22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”10 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. Footnotes [1] 3:2 Greek him [2] 3:3 Or from above; the Greek is purposely ambiguous and can mean both again and from above; also verse 7 [3] 3:6 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit [4] 3:7 The Greek for you is plural here [5] 3:8 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit [6] 3:11 The Greek for you is plural here; also four times in verse 12 [7] 3:13 Some manuscripts add who is in heaven [8] 3:15 Some interpreters hold that the quotation ends at verse 15 [9] 3:16 Or For this is how God loved the world [10] 3:30 Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36 (ESV)

Old Testament: Job 41–42 Job 41–42 (Listen) 41   1 “Can you draw out Leviathan2 with a fishhook    or press down his tongue with a cord?2   Can you put a rope in his nose    or pierce his jaw with a hook?3   Will he make many pleas to you?    Will he speak to you soft words?4   Will he make a covenant with you    to take him for your servant forever?5   Will you play with him as with a bird,    or will you put him on a leash for your girls?6   Will traders bargain over him?    Will they divide him up among the merchants?7   Can you fill his skin with harpoons    or his head with fishing spears?8   Lay your hands on him;    remember the battle—you will not do it again!9   3 Behold, the hope of a man is false;    he is laid low even at the sight of him.10   No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up.    Who then is he who can stand before me?11   Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?    Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine. 12   “I will not keep silence concerning his limbs,    or his mighty strength, or his goodly frame.13   Who can strip off his outer garment?    Who would come near him with a bridle?14   Who can open the doors of his face?    Around his teeth is terror.15   His back is made of4 rows of shields,    shut up closely as with a seal.16   One is so near to another    that no air can come between them.17   They are joined one to another;    they clasp each other and cannot be separated.18   His sneezings flash forth light,    and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn.19   Out of his mouth go flaming torches;    sparks of fire leap forth.20   Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke,    as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.21   His breath kindles coals,    and a flame comes forth from his mouth.22   In his neck abides strength,    and terror dances before him.23   The folds of his flesh stick together,    firmly cast on him and immovable.24   His heart is hard as a stone,    hard as the lower millstone.25   When he raises himself up, the mighty5 are afraid;    at the crashing they are beside themselves.26   Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail,    nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin.27   He counts iron as straw,    and bronze as rotten wood.28   The arrow cannot make him flee;    for him, sling stones are turned to stubble.29   Clubs are counted as stubble;    he laughs at the rattle of javelins.30   His underparts are like sharp potsherds;    he spreads himself like a threshing sledge on the mire.31   He makes the deep boil like a pot;    he makes the sea like a pot of ointment.32   Behind him he leaves a shining wake;    one would think the deep to be white-haired.33   On earth there is not his like,    a creature without fear.34   He sees everything that is high;    he is king over all the sons of pride.” Job's Confession and Repentance 42 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2   “I know that you can do all things,    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.3   ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'  Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,    things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.4   ‘Hear, and I will speak;    I will question you, and you make it known to me.'5   I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,    but now my eye sees you;6   therefore I despise myself,    and repent6 in dust and ashes.” The Lord Rebukes Job's Friends 7 After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job's prayer. The Lord Restores Job's Fortunes 10 And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil7 that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money8 and a ring of gold. 12 And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations. 17 And Job died, an old man, and full of days. Footnotes [1] 41:1 Ch 40:25 in Hebrew [2] 41:1 A large sea animal, exact identity unknown [3] 41:9 Ch 41:1 in Hebrew [4] 41:15 Or His pride is in his [5] 41:25 Or gods [6] 42:6 Or and am comforted [7] 42:11 Or disaster [8] 42:11 Hebrew a qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 62 Psalm 62 (Listen) My Soul Waits for God Alone To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. 62   For God alone my soul waits in silence;    from him comes my salvation.2   He alone is my rock and my salvation,    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3   How long will all of you attack a man    to batter him,    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?4   They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.    They take pleasure in falsehood.  They bless with their mouths,    but inwardly they curse. Selah 5   For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,    for my hope is from him.6   He only is my rock and my salvation,    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.7   On God rests my salvation and my glory;    my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8   Trust in him at all times, O people;    pour out your heart before him;    God is a refuge for us. Selah 9   Those of low estate are but a breath;    those of high estate are a delusion;  in the balances they go up;    they are together lighter than a breath.10   Put no trust in extortion;    set no vain hopes on robbery;    if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11   Once God has spoken;    twice have I heard this:  that power belongs to God,12     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.  For you will render to a man    according to his work. (ESV) New Testament: John 2 John 2 (Listen) The Wedding at Cana 2 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.1 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers2 and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. Jesus Cleanses the Temple 13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,3 and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. Jesus Knows What Is in Man 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. Footnotes [1] 2:6 Greek two or three measures (metrētas); a metrētēs was about 10 gallons or 35 liters [2] 2:12 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters [3] 2:20 Or This temple was built forty-six years ago (ESV)

Old Testament: Job 39–40 Job 39–40 (Listen) 39   “Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?    Do you observe the calving of the does?2   Can you number the months that they fulfill,    and do you know the time when they give birth,3   when they crouch, bring forth their offspring,    and are delivered of their young?4   Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open;    they go out and do not return to them. 5   “Who has let the wild donkey go free?    Who has loosed the bonds of the swift donkey,6   to whom I have given the arid plain for his home    and the salt land for his dwelling place?7   He scorns the tumult of the city;    he hears not the shouts of the driver.8   He ranges the mountains as his pasture,    and he searches after every green thing. 9   “Is the wild ox willing to serve you?    Will he spend the night at your manger?10   Can you bind him in the furrow with ropes,    or will he harrow the valleys after you?11   Will you depend on him because his strength is great,    and will you leave to him your labor?12   Do you have faith in him that he will return your grain    and gather it to your threshing floor? 13   “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly,    but are they the pinions and plumage of love?114   For she leaves her eggs to the earth    and lets them be warmed on the ground,15   forgetting that a foot may crush them    and that the wild beast may trample them.16   She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers;    though her labor be in vain, yet she has no fear,17   because God has made her forget wisdom    and given her no share in understanding.18   When she rouses herself to flee,2    she laughs at the horse and his rider. 19   “Do you give the horse his might?    Do you clothe his neck with a mane?20   Do you make him leap like the locust?    His majestic snorting is terrifying.21   He paws3 in the valley and exults in his strength;    he goes out to meet the weapons.22   He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;    he does not turn back from the sword.23   Upon him rattle the quiver,    the flashing spear, and the javelin.24   With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground;    he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.25   When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!'    He smells the battle from afar,    the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. 26   “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars    and spreads his wings toward the south?27   Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up    and makes his nest on high?28   On the rock he dwells and makes his home,    on the rocky crag and stronghold.29   From there he spies out the prey;    his eyes behold it from far away.30   His young ones suck up blood,    and where the slain are, there is he.” 40 And the LORD said to Job: 2   “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?    He who argues with God, let him answer it.” Job Promises Silence 3 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 4   “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?    I lay my hand on my mouth.5   I have spoken once, and I will not answer;    twice, but I will proceed no further.” The Lord Challenges Job 6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 7   “Dress for action4 like a man;    I will question you, and you make it known to me.8   Will you even put me in the wrong?    Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?9   Have you an arm like God,    and can you thunder with a voice like his? 10   “Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity;    clothe yourself with glory and splendor.11   Pour out the overflowings of your anger,    and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.12   Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low    and tread down the wicked where they stand.13   Hide them all in the dust together;    bind their faces in the world below.514   Then will I also acknowledge to you    that your own right hand can save you. 15   “Behold, Behemoth,6    which I made as I made you;    he eats grass like an ox.16   Behold, his strength in his loins,    and his power in the muscles of his belly.17   He makes his tail stiff like a cedar;    the sinews of his thighs are knit together.18   His bones are tubes of bronze,    his limbs like bars of iron. 19   “He is the first of the works7 of God;    let him who made him bring near his sword!20   For the mountains yield food for him    where all the wild beasts play.21   Under the lotus plants he lies,    in the shelter of the reeds and in the marsh.22   For his shade the lotus trees cover him;    the willows of the brook surround him.23   Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened;    he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.24   Can one take him by his eyes,8    or pierce his nose with a snare? Footnotes [1] 39:13 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [2] 39:18 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [3] 39:21 Hebrew They paw [4] 40:7 Hebrew Gird up your loins [5] 40:13 Hebrew in the hidden place [6] 40:15 A large animal, exact identity unknown [7] 40:19 Hebrew ways [8] 40:24 Or in his sight (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 61 Psalm 61 (Listen) Lead Me to the Rock To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David. 61   Hear my cry, O God,    listen to my prayer;2   from the end of the earth I call to you    when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock    that is higher than I,3   for you have been my refuge,    a strong tower against the enemy. 4   Let me dwell in your tent forever!    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah5   For you, O God, have heard my vows;    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. 6   Prolong the life of the king;    may his years endure to all generations!7   May he be enthroned forever before God;    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! 8   So will I ever sing praises to your name,    as I perform my vows day after day. (ESV) New Testament: John 1 John 1 (Listen) The Word Became Flesh 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,1 and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own,2 and his own people3 did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son4 from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.5 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God,6 who is at the Father's side,7 he has made him known. The Testimony of John the Baptist 19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight8 the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. Behold, the Lamb of God 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son9 of God.” Jesus Calls the First Disciples 35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.10 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus11 was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter12). Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you,13 you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Footnotes [1] 1:4 Or was not any thing made. That which has been made was life in him [2] 1:11 Greek to his own things; that is, to his own domain, or to his own people [3] 1:11 People is implied in Greek [4] 1:14 Or only One, or unique One [5] 1:16 Or grace in place of grace [6] 1:18 Or the only One, who is God; some manuscripts the only Son [7] 1:18 Greek in the bosom of the Father [8] 1:23 Or crying out, ‘In the wilderness make straight [9] 1:34 Some manuscripts the Chosen One [10] 1:39 That is, about 4 p.m. [11] 1:40 Greek him [12] 1:42 Cephas and Peter are from the word for rock in Aramaic and Greek, respectively [13] 1:51 The Greek for you is plural; twice in this verse (ESV)