December 31, 2012
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
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+ Saints: St. Sylvester, Pope
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+ First Reading: 1 John 2:18-21
18 Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.
19 They went out from us, but they didn't belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.
20 You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. ‡Or, "know what is true", or, "know all things"
21 I have not written to you because you don't know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
‡2:20: Or, "know what is true", or, "know all things"
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+ Psalm: Psalms 96:1-2, 11-12, 13
1 Sing to Yahweh a new song!
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth.
2 Sing to Yahweh!
Bless his name!
Proclaim his salvation from day to day!
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.
Let the sea roar, and its fullness!
12 Let the field and all that is in it exult!
Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy
13 before Yahweh; for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
the peoples with his truth.
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+ Gospel: John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome *The word translated "overcome" (katelaben) can also be translated "comprehended." It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat him. it.
6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn't recognize him.
11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn't receive him.
12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'"
16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son,†NU reads "God" who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
*1:5: The word translated "overcome" (katelaben) can also be translated "comprehended." It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat him.
†1:18: NU reads "God"
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+ Today's Reading: Colossians 2:4-15
4 Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.
8 Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,
10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;
11 in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;
15 having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
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12.31.2012
12.30.2012
Today's Bible story
December 30, 2012
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
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+ Saints: St. Anysius
-----
+ First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
http://www.usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Sirach&ch=3&v=28003002
or
1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
20 When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel,‡Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for "heard by God." saying, "Because I have asked him of Yahweh."
21 The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
22 But Hannah didn't go up; for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before Yahweh, and stay there forever."
24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah§1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to Yahweh's house in Shiloh. The child was young.
25 They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
26 She said, "Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh.
27 I prayed for this child; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
28 Therefore I have also given him to Yahweh. As long as he lives he is given to Yahweh." He worshiped Yahweh there.
‡1:20: Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for "heard by God."
§1:24: 1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.
1 Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh,
who walks in his ways.
2 For you will eat the labor of your hands.
You will be happy, and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife will be as a fruitful vine,
in the innermost parts of your house;
your children like olive plants,
around your table.
4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh.
5 May Yahweh bless you out of Zion,
and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
-----
+ Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21
12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,
43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."
49 He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50 They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
-----
+ Today's Reading: Ephesians 5:21-6:4
5:21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.
24 But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;
26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect.
28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;
30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.
31 "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh."☆Genesis 2:24
32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.
33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise:
3 "that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth." ?Deuteronomy 5:16
4 You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
☆5:31: Genesis 2:24
-----
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Anysius
-----
+ First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
http://www.usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Sirach&ch=3&v=28003002
or
1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28
20 When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel,‡Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for "heard by God." saying, "Because I have asked him of Yahweh."
21 The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
22 But Hannah didn't go up; for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before Yahweh, and stay there forever."
24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah§1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to Yahweh's house in Shiloh. The child was young.
25 They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
26 She said, "Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh.
27 I prayed for this child; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
28 Therefore I have also given him to Yahweh. As long as he lives he is given to Yahweh." He worshiped Yahweh there.
‡1:20: Samuel sounds like the Hebrew for "heard by God."
§1:24: 1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.
1 Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh,
who walks in his ways.
2 For you will eat the labor of your hands.
You will be happy, and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife will be as a fruitful vine,
in the innermost parts of your house;
your children like olive plants,
around your table.
4 Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh.
5 May Yahweh bless you out of Zion,
and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
-----
+ Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21
12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,
43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."
49 He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50 They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
-----
+ Today's Reading: Ephesians 5:21-6:4
5:21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.
24 But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;
26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect.
28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;
30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.
31 "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh."☆Genesis 2:24
32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.
33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise:
3 "that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth." ?Deuteronomy 5:16
4 You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
☆5:31: Genesis 2:24
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12.29.2012
Today's Bible story
December 29, 2012
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Thomas Becket
-----
+ First Reading: 1 John 2:3-11
3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
4 One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.
5 But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:
6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
7 Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
8 Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.
9 He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
10 He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.
11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn't know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6
1 Sing to Yahweh a new song!
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth.
2 Sing to Yahweh!
Bless his name!
Proclaim his salvation from day to day!
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
5b (For all the gods of the peoples are idols,)
but Yahweh made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him.
Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 2:22-35
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),☆
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."☆
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.*
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 "Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel."
33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,
34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
☆2:23: Exodus 13:2,12
☆2:24: Leviticus 12:8
*2:26: "Christ" (Greek) and "Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "Anointed One"
-----
+ Today's Reading: Colossians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 to the saints and faithful brothers* in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints,
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News,
6 which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
7 even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;
14 in whom we have our redemption,† the forgiveness of our sins;
*1:2: The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
†1:14: TR adds "through his blood,"
-----
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Thomas Becket
-----
+ First Reading: 1 John 2:3-11
3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
4 One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.
5 But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:
6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
7 Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
8 Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.
9 He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
10 He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.
11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn't know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6
1 Sing to Yahweh a new song!
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth.
2 Sing to Yahweh!
Bless his name!
Proclaim his salvation from day to day!
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
5b (For all the gods of the peoples are idols,)
but Yahweh made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him.
Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 2:22-35
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),☆
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."☆
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.*
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 "Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel."
33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,
34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
☆2:23: Exodus 13:2,12
☆2:24: Leviticus 12:8
*2:26: "Christ" (Greek) and "Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "Anointed One"
-----
+ Today's Reading: Colossians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 to the saints and faithful brothers* in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints,
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News,
6 which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
7 even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;
14 in whom we have our redemption,† the forgiveness of our sins;
*1:2: The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
†1:14: TR adds "through his blood,"
-----
12.28.2012
Today's Bible story
December 28, 2012
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: Holy Innocents
-----
+ First Reading: 1 John 1:5-2:2
1:5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we haven't sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2:1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor*Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter. with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
2 And he is the atoning sacrifice†"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "ιλασμο?", an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation?the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin. for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
*2:1: Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter.
†2:2: "atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "ιλασμο?", an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation?the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 124:2-3, 4-5, 7-8
2 if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side,
when men rose up against us;
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their wrath was kindled against us;
4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
the stream would have gone over our soul;
5 then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.
7 Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare.
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in Yahweh's name,
who made heaven and earth.
-----
+ Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt,
15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called my son."☆Hosea 11:1
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.
17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah,
lamentation, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she wouldn't be comforted,
because they are no more."☆Jeremiah 31:15
☆2:15: Hosea 11:1
☆2:18: Jeremiah 31:15
-----
+ Today's Reading: Exodus 1:8-16、22
8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who didn't know Joseph.
9 He said to his people, "Behold,*"Behold", from "??????", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.
10 Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies, and fight against us, and escape out of the land."
11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They were grieved because of the children of Israel.
13 The Egyptians ruthlessly made the children of Israel serve,
14 and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all kinds of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.
15 The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah,
16 and he said, "When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."
22 Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive."
*1:9: "Behold", from "??????", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
-----
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: Holy Innocents
-----
+ First Reading: 1 John 1:5-2:2
1:5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we haven't sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2:1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor*Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter. with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
2 And he is the atoning sacrifice†"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "ιλασμο?", an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation?the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin. for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
*2:1: Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter.
†2:2: "atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "ιλασμο?", an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation?the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 124:2-3, 4-5, 7-8
2 if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side,
when men rose up against us;
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their wrath was kindled against us;
4 then the waters would have overwhelmed us,
the stream would have gone over our soul;
5 then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.
7 Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare.
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in Yahweh's name,
who made heaven and earth.
-----
+ Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt,
15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called my son."☆Hosea 11:1
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.
17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah,
lamentation, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she wouldn't be comforted,
because they are no more."☆Jeremiah 31:15
☆2:15: Hosea 11:1
☆2:18: Jeremiah 31:15
-----
+ Today's Reading: Exodus 1:8-16、22
8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who didn't know Joseph.
9 He said to his people, "Behold,*"Behold", from "??????", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.
10 Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies, and fight against us, and escape out of the land."
11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They were grieved because of the children of Israel.
13 The Egyptians ruthlessly made the children of Israel serve,
14 and they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all kinds of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.
15 The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah,
16 and he said, "When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."
22 Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive."
*1:9: "Behold", from "??????", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
-----
12.27.2012
Today's Bible story
December 27, 2012
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. John the Apostle
-----
+ First Reading: 1 John 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life
2 (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);
3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4 And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
1 Yahweh reigns!
Let the earth rejoice!
Let the multitude of islands be glad!
2 Clouds and darkness are around him.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness.
All the peoples have seen his glory.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous people!
Give thanks to his holy Name.
-----
+ Gospel: John 20:1a and 2-8
1a Now on the first day of the week, (Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb.)
2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have laid him!"
3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb.
4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first.
5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn't enter in.
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying,
7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.
-----
+ Today's Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:3
1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life
2 (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);
3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4 And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we haven't sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2:1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor*Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter. with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
2 And he is the atoning sacrifice†"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "ιλασμο?", an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation?the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin. for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
*2:1: Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter.
†2:2: "atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "ιλασμο?", an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation?the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.
-----
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. John the Apostle
-----
+ First Reading: 1 John 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life
2 (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);
3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4 And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
1 Yahweh reigns!
Let the earth rejoice!
Let the multitude of islands be glad!
2 Clouds and darkness are around him.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness.
All the peoples have seen his glory.
11 Light is sown for the righteous,
and gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous people!
Give thanks to his holy Name.
-----
+ Gospel: John 20:1a and 2-8
1a Now on the first day of the week, (Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb.)
2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have laid him!"
3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb.
4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first.
5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn't enter in.
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying,
7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.
-----
+ Today's Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:3
1 That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life
2 (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us);
3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4 And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don't tell the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we haven't sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2:1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor*Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter. with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
2 And he is the atoning sacrifice†"atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "ιλασμο?", an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation?the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin. for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
*2:1: Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter.
†2:2: "atoning sacrifice" is from the Greek "ιλασμο?", an appeasing, propitiating, or the means of appeasement or propitiation?the sacrifice that turns away God's wrath because of our sin.
-----
12.26.2012
Today's Bible story
December 26, 2012
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Stephen
-----
+ First Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines", and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10 They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.
58 They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 31:2cd-3, 5 and 7ab, 15bc and 16
2cd (Bow down your ear to me.
Deliver me speedily.)
Be to me a strong rock,
a house of defense to save me.
3 For you are my rock and my fortress,
therefore for your name's sake lead me and guide me.
5 Into your hand I commend my spirit.
You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.
7ab I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness,
for you have seen my affliction.
(You have known my soul in adversities.)
15bc (My times are in your hand.)
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine on your servant.
Save me in your loving kindness.
-----
+ Gospel: Gospel: Matthew 10:17-22
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
18 Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
19 But when they deliver you up, don't be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
-----
+ Today's Reading: Acts 6:8-7:2a、44-8:1a
6:8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines", and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10 They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,
13 and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.
14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."
15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
7:2a He said, "Brothers and fathers, listen. （The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, )
44 "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen;
45 which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David,
46 who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.
47 But Solomon built him a house.
48 However, the Most High doesn't dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,
49 'heaven is my throne,
and the earth a footstool for my feet.
What kind of house will you build me?' says the Lord;
'or what is the place of my rest?
50 Didn't my hand make all these things?'☆Isaiah 66:1-2
51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
52 Which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.
53 You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn't keep it!"
54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.
58 They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he fell asleep.
8:1a Saul was consenting to his death. (A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.)
☆7:50: Isaiah 66:1-2
-----
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Stephen
-----
+ First Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines", and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10 They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.
58 They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 31:2cd-3, 5 and 7ab, 15bc and 16
2cd (Bow down your ear to me.
Deliver me speedily.)
Be to me a strong rock,
a house of defense to save me.
3 For you are my rock and my fortress,
therefore for your name's sake lead me and guide me.
5 Into your hand I commend my spirit.
You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.
7ab I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness,
for you have seen my affliction.
(You have known my soul in adversities.)
15bc (My times are in your hand.)
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine on your servant.
Save me in your loving kindness.
-----
+ Gospel: Gospel: Matthew 10:17-22
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.
18 Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
19 But when they deliver you up, don't be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
-----
+ Today's Reading: Acts 6:8-7:2a、44-8:1a
6:8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines", and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10 They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,
13 and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.
14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."
15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
7:2a He said, "Brothers and fathers, listen. （The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, )
44 "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen;
45 which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David,
46 who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.
47 But Solomon built him a house.
48 However, the Most High doesn't dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,
49 'heaven is my throne,
and the earth a footstool for my feet.
What kind of house will you build me?' says the Lord;
'or what is the place of my rest?
50 Didn't my hand make all these things?'☆Isaiah 66:1-2
51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
52 Which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.
53 You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn't keep it!"
54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.
58 They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he fell asleep.
8:1a Saul was consenting to his death. (A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.)
☆7:50: Isaiah 66:1-2
-----
12.25.2012
Today's Bible story
December 25, 2012
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: The Nativity of The Lord - Christmas
-----
+ First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace,
who brings good news,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
8 Your watchmen lift up their voice,
together they sing;
for they shall see eye to eye, when Yahweh returns to Zion.
9 Break out into joy,
sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem;
for Yahweh has comforted his people.
He has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 Yahweh has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.
1 Sing to Yahweh a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.
2 Yahweh has made known his salvation.
He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth!
Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of melody.
6 With trumpets and sound of the ram's horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.
-----
+ Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6
1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time,
"You are my Son.
Today have I become your father?"☆Psalm 2:7
and again,
"I will be to him a Father,
and he will be to me a Son?"☆2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13
6 When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."☆
☆1:5: Psalm 2:7
☆1:5: 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13
☆1:6: Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX
-----
+ Gospel: John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome *The word translated "overcome" (katelaben) can also be translated "comprehended." It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat him. it.
6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn't recognize him.
11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn't receive him.
12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'"
16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son,†NU reads "God" who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
*1:5: The word translated "overcome" (katelaben) can also be translated "comprehended." It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat him.
†1:18: NU reads "God"
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
1 A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse,
and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.
2 Yahweh's Spirit will rest on him:
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh.
3 His delight will be in the fear of Yahweh.
He will not judge by the sight of his eyes,
neither decide by the hearing of his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the humble of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;
The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow and the bear will graze.
Their young ones will lie down together.
The lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child will play near a cobra's hole,
and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den.
9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh,
as the waters cover the sea.
10 It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious.
-----
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: The Nativity of The Lord - Christmas
-----
+ First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace,
who brings good news,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
8 Your watchmen lift up their voice,
together they sing;
for they shall see eye to eye, when Yahweh returns to Zion.
9 Break out into joy,
sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem;
for Yahweh has comforted his people.
He has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 Yahweh has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.
1 Sing to Yahweh a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.
2 Yahweh has made known his salvation.
He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth!
Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of melody.
6 With trumpets and sound of the ram's horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.
-----
+ Second Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6
1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time,
"You are my Son.
Today have I become your father?"☆Psalm 2:7
and again,
"I will be to him a Father,
and he will be to me a Son?"☆2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13
6 When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."☆
☆1:5: Psalm 2:7
☆1:5: 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13
☆1:6: Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX
-----
+ Gospel: John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome *The word translated "overcome" (katelaben) can also be translated "comprehended." It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat him. it.
6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn't recognize him.
11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn't receive him.
12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'"
16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son,†NU reads "God" who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
*1:5: The word translated "overcome" (katelaben) can also be translated "comprehended." It refers to getting a grip on an enemy to defeat him.
†1:18: NU reads "God"
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
1 A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse,
and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.
2 Yahweh's Spirit will rest on him:
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh.
3 His delight will be in the fear of Yahweh.
He will not judge by the sight of his eyes,
neither decide by the hearing of his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the humble of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;
The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow and the bear will graze.
Their young ones will lie down together.
The lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child will play near a cobra's hole,
and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den.
9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh,
as the waters cover the sea.
10 It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious.
-----
12.24.2012
Today's Bible story
December 24, 2012
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: Vigil of Christmas
-----
+ First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
サムエル記下(7:1-5、8b-12、14a、16)
1 When the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but God's ark dwells within curtains."
3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you."
4 That same night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, saying,
5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'Yahweh says, "Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?
8b (Now therefore tell my servant David this, 'Yahweh of Armies says, )"I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.
9 I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,
11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house.
12 When your days are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring*or, seed after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
14a I will be his father, and he will be my son. (If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; )
16 Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever."'"
*7:12: or, seed
-----
+ Psalms 89:1-2, 3-4, 26 and 28
1 I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever.
With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever.
You established the heavens.
Your faithfulness is in them."
3 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
4 'I will establish your offspring* forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.'"
26 He will call to me, 'You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation!'
28 I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.
My covenant will stand firm with him.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:67-79
67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people;
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show mercy towards our fathers,
to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father,
74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
should serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,
79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death;
to guide our feet into the way of peace."
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 44:1-8、21-23
1 Yet listen now, Jacob my servant,
and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what Yahweh who made you,
and formed you from the womb,
who will help you says:
"Don't be afraid, Jacob my servant;
and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
and streams on the dry ground.
I will pour my Spirit on your descendants,*or, seed
and my blessing on your offspring:
4 and they will spring up among the grass,
as willows by the watercourses.
5 One will say, 'I am Yahweh's;'
and another will be called by the name of Jacob;
and another will write with his hand 'to Yahweh,'
and honor the name of Israel."
6 This is what Yahweh, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies, says:
"I am the first, and I am the last;
and besides me there is no God.
7 Who is like me?
Who will call,
and will declare it,
and set it in order for me,
since I established the ancient people?
Let them declare the things that are coming,
and that will happen.
8 Don't fear,
neither be afraid.
Haven't I declared it to you long ago,
and shown it?
You are my witnesses.
Is there a God besides me?
Indeed, there is not.
I don't know any other Rock."
21 Remember these things, Jacob and Israel;
for you are my servant.
I have formed you.
You are my servant.
Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions,
and, as a cloud, your sins.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23 Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth!
Break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, all of your trees,
for Yahweh has redeemed Jacob,
and will glorify himself in Israel.
-----
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: Vigil of Christmas
-----
+ First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
サムエル記下(7:1-5、8b-12、14a、16)
1 When the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but God's ark dwells within curtains."
3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you."
4 That same night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, saying,
5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'Yahweh says, "Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?
8b (Now therefore tell my servant David this, 'Yahweh of Armies says, )"I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.
9 I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,
11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house.
12 When your days are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring*or, seed after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
14a I will be his father, and he will be my son. (If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; )
16 Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever."'"
*7:12: or, seed
-----
+ Psalms 89:1-2, 3-4, 26 and 28
1 I will sing of the loving kindness of Yahweh forever.
With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever.
You established the heavens.
Your faithfulness is in them."
3 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
4 'I will establish your offspring* forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.'"
26 He will call to me, 'You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation!'
28 I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.
My covenant will stand firm with him.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:67-79
67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people;
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show mercy towards our fathers,
to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father,
74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
should serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,
79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death;
to guide our feet into the way of peace."
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 44:1-8、21-23
1 Yet listen now, Jacob my servant,
and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what Yahweh who made you,
and formed you from the womb,
who will help you says:
"Don't be afraid, Jacob my servant;
and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
and streams on the dry ground.
I will pour my Spirit on your descendants,*or, seed
and my blessing on your offspring:
4 and they will spring up among the grass,
as willows by the watercourses.
5 One will say, 'I am Yahweh's;'
and another will be called by the name of Jacob;
and another will write with his hand 'to Yahweh,'
and honor the name of Israel."
6 This is what Yahweh, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies, says:
"I am the first, and I am the last;
and besides me there is no God.
7 Who is like me?
Who will call,
and will declare it,
and set it in order for me,
since I established the ancient people?
Let them declare the things that are coming,
and that will happen.
8 Don't fear,
neither be afraid.
Haven't I declared it to you long ago,
and shown it?
You are my witnesses.
Is there a God besides me?
Indeed, there is not.
I don't know any other Rock."
21 Remember these things, Jacob and Israel;
for you are my servant.
I have formed you.
You are my servant.
Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions,
and, as a cloud, your sins.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23 Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth!
Break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, all of your trees,
for Yahweh has redeemed Jacob,
and will glorify himself in Israel.
-----
12.23.2012
Today's Bible story
December 23, 2012
Fourth Sunday of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints:
St. Thorlak of Iceland
-----
+ First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a
1 Now you shall gather yourself in troops,
daughter of troops.
He has laid siege against us.
They will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek.
2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
being small among the clans of Judah,
out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
3 Therefore he will abandon them until the time that she who is in labor gives birth.
Then the rest of his brothers will return to the children of Israel.
4a He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of Yahweh,
in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God:
(and they will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth.)
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 80:1-2, 14-15, 17-18
1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock,
you who sit above the cherubim, shine out.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might!
Come to save us!
14 Turn again, we beg you, God of Armies.
Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine,
15 the stock which your right hand planted,
the branch that you made strong for yourself.
17 Let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.
18 So we will not turn away from you.
Revive us, and we will call on your name.
-----
+ Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says,
"Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire,
but you prepared a body for me.
6 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)
to do your will, O God.'"☆
8 Previously saying, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn't desire, neither had pleasure in them" (those which are offered according to the law),
9 then he has said, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He takes away the first, that he may establish the second,
10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
☆10:7: Psalm 40:6-8
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:39-45
39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 43:18-28
18 "Don't remember the former things,
and don't consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing.
It springs out now.
Don't you know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
20 The animals of the field shall honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people which I formed for myself,
that they might declare my praise.
22 Yet you have not called on me, Jacob;
but you have been weary of me, Israel.
23 You have not brought me of your sheep for burnt offerings;
neither have you honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
nor wearied you with frankincense.
24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money,
nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices;
but you have burdened me with your sins.
You have wearied me with your iniquities.
25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake;
and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance.
Let us plead together.
Declare your case,
that you may be justified.
27 Your first father sinned,
and your teachers have transgressed against me.
28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary;
and I will make Jacob a curse,
and Israel an insult."
-----
Fourth Sunday of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints:
St. Thorlak of Iceland
-----
+ First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a
1 Now you shall gather yourself in troops,
daughter of troops.
He has laid siege against us.
They will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek.
2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
being small among the clans of Judah,
out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
3 Therefore he will abandon them until the time that she who is in labor gives birth.
Then the rest of his brothers will return to the children of Israel.
4a He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of Yahweh,
in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God:
(and they will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth.)
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 80:1-2, 14-15, 17-18
1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock,
you who sit above the cherubim, shine out.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might!
Come to save us!
14 Turn again, we beg you, God of Armies.
Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine,
15 the stock which your right hand planted,
the branch that you made strong for yourself.
17 Let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.
18 So we will not turn away from you.
Revive us, and we will call on your name.
-----
+ Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says,
"Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire,
but you prepared a body for me.
6 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)
to do your will, O God.'"☆
8 Previously saying, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn't desire, neither had pleasure in them" (those which are offered according to the law),
9 then he has said, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He takes away the first, that he may establish the second,
10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
☆10:7: Psalm 40:6-8
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:39-45
39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 43:18-28
18 "Don't remember the former things,
and don't consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing.
It springs out now.
Don't you know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
20 The animals of the field shall honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people which I formed for myself,
that they might declare my praise.
22 Yet you have not called on me, Jacob;
but you have been weary of me, Israel.
23 You have not brought me of your sheep for burnt offerings;
neither have you honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
nor wearied you with frankincense.
24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money,
nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices;
but you have burdened me with your sins.
You have wearied me with your iniquities.
25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake;
and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance.
Let us plead together.
Declare your case,
that you may be justified.
27 Your first father sinned,
and your teachers have transgressed against me.
28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary;
and I will make Jacob a curse,
and Israel an insult."
-----
12.22.2012
Today's Bible story
December 22, 2012
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Chaeromon
-----
+ First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah§ of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to Yahweh's house in Shiloh. The child was young.
25 They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
26 She said, "Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh.
27 I prayed for this child; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
28 Therefore I have also given him to Yahweh. As long as he lives he is given to Yahweh." He worshiped Yahweh there.
§1:24: 1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel
-----
+ Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
1 Hannah prayed, and said:
"My heart exults in Yahweh!
My horn is exalted in Yahweh.
My mouth is enlarged over my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
4 "The bows of the mighty men are broken.
Those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread.
Those who were hungry are satisfied.
Yes, the barren has borne seven.
She who has many children languishes.
6 "Yahweh kills, and makes alive.
He brings down to Sheol,* and brings up.
7 Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich.
He brings low, he also lifts up.
8abcd He raises up the poor out of the dust.
He lifts up the needy from the dunghill,
To make them sit with princes,
and inherit the throne of glory.
(For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's.
He has set the world on them.)
*2:6: Sheol is the place of the dead.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:46-56
46 Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord.
47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
51 He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down princes from their thrones.
And has exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
55 As he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring‡ forever."
56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
‡1:55: or, seed
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 43:1-13
1 But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob,
and he who formed you, Israel says:
"Don't be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name.
You are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned,
and flame will not scorch you.
3 For I am Yahweh your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
your Savior.
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you have been precious and honored in my sight,
and I have loved you;
therefore I will give people in your place,
and nations instead of your life.
5 Don't be afraid; for I am with you.
I will bring your offspring* from the east,
and gather you from the west.
6 I will tell the north, 'Give them up!'
and tell the south, 'Don't hold them back!
Bring my sons from far,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
and whom I have created for my glory,
whom I have formed,
yes, whom I have made.'"
8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes,
and the deaf who have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together,
and let the peoples be assembled.
Who among them can declare this,
and show us former things?
Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified;
or let them hear, and say, "That is true."
10 "You are my witnesses," says Yahweh,
"With my servant whom I have chosen;
that you may know and believe me,
and understand that I am he.
Before me there was no God formed,
neither will there be after me.
11 I myself am Yahweh;
and besides me there is no savior.
12 I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown;
and there was no strange god among you.
Therefore you are my witnesses",
says Yahweh, "and I am God.
13 Yes, since the day was I am he;
and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand.
I will work, and who can hinder it?"
*43:5: or, seed
-----
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Chaeromon
-----
+ First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah§ of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to Yahweh's house in Shiloh. The child was young.
25 They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
26 She said, "Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh.
27 I prayed for this child; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
28 Therefore I have also given him to Yahweh. As long as he lives he is given to Yahweh." He worshiped Yahweh there.
§1:24: 1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel
-----
+ Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
1 Hannah prayed, and said:
"My heart exults in Yahweh!
My horn is exalted in Yahweh.
My mouth is enlarged over my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
4 "The bows of the mighty men are broken.
Those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread.
Those who were hungry are satisfied.
Yes, the barren has borne seven.
She who has many children languishes.
6 "Yahweh kills, and makes alive.
He brings down to Sheol,* and brings up.
7 Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich.
He brings low, he also lifts up.
8abcd He raises up the poor out of the dust.
He lifts up the needy from the dunghill,
To make them sit with princes,
and inherit the throne of glory.
(For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's.
He has set the world on them.)
*2:6: Sheol is the place of the dead.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:46-56
46 Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord.
47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
51 He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down princes from their thrones.
And has exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
55 As he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring‡ forever."
56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
‡1:55: or, seed
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 43:1-13
1 But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob,
and he who formed you, Israel says:
"Don't be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name.
You are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned,
and flame will not scorch you.
3 For I am Yahweh your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
your Savior.
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you have been precious and honored in my sight,
and I have loved you;
therefore I will give people in your place,
and nations instead of your life.
5 Don't be afraid; for I am with you.
I will bring your offspring* from the east,
and gather you from the west.
6 I will tell the north, 'Give them up!'
and tell the south, 'Don't hold them back!
Bring my sons from far,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
and whom I have created for my glory,
whom I have formed,
yes, whom I have made.'"
8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes,
and the deaf who have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together,
and let the peoples be assembled.
Who among them can declare this,
and show us former things?
Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified;
or let them hear, and say, "That is true."
10 "You are my witnesses," says Yahweh,
"With my servant whom I have chosen;
that you may know and believe me,
and understand that I am he.
Before me there was no God formed,
neither will there be after me.
11 I myself am Yahweh;
and besides me there is no savior.
12 I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown;
and there was no strange god among you.
Therefore you are my witnesses",
says Yahweh, "and I am God.
13 Yes, since the day was I am he;
and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand.
I will work, and who can hinder it?"
*43:5: or, seed
-----
12.21.2012
Today's Bible story
December 21, 2012
Friday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Peter Canisius
-----
+ First Reading: Song of Solomon 2:8-14
8 The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he comes,
leaping on the mountains,
skipping on the hills.
9 My beloved is like a roe or a young deer.
Behold, he stands behind our wall!
He looks in at the windows.
He glances through the lattice.
10 My beloved spoke, and said to me,
"Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
11 For, behold, the winter is past.
The rain is over and gone.
12 The flowers appear on the earth.
The time of the singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree ripens her green figs.
The vines are in blossom.
They give out their fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away."
14 My dove in the clefts of the rock,
In the hiding places of the mountainside,
Let me see your face.
Let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
2 Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre.
Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to him a new song.
Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
11 The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh,
the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.
20 Our soul has waited for Yahweh.
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in him,
because we have trusted in his holy name.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:39-45
39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 42:10-25
10 Sing to Yahweh a new song,
and his praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea,
and all that is therein,
the islands and their inhabitants.
11 Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices,
with the villages that Kedar inhabits.
Let the inhabitants of Sela sing.
Let them shout from the top of the mountains!
12 Let them give glory to Yahweh,
and declare his praise in the islands.
13 Yahweh will go out like a mighty man.
He will stir up zeal like a man of war.
He will raise a war cry.
Yes, he will shout aloud.
He will triumph over his enemies.
14 "I have been silent a long time.
I have been quiet and restrained myself.
Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.
15 I will destroy mountains and hills,
and dry up all their herbs.
I will make the rivers islands,
and will dry up the pools.
16 I will bring the blind by a way that they don't know.
I will lead them in paths that they don't know.
I will make darkness light before them,
and crooked places straight.
I will do these things,
and I will not forsake them.
17 "Those who trust in engraved images,
who tell molten images,
'You are our gods'
will be turned back.
They will be utterly disappointed.
18 "Hear, you deaf,
and look, you blind,
that you may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant?
Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send?
Who is as blind as he who is at peace,
and as blind as Yahweh's servant?
20 You see many things, but don't observe.
His ears are open, but he doesn't listen.
21 It pleased Yahweh, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify the law,
and make it honorable.
22 But this is a robbed and plundered people.
All of them are snared in holes,
and they are hidden in prisons.
They have become captives, and no one delivers;
and a plunder, and no one says, 'Restore them!'
23 Who is there among you who will give ear to this?
Who will listen and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob as plunder,
and Israel to the robbers?
Didn't Yahweh, he against whom we have sinned?
For they would not walk in his ways,
and they disobeyed his law.
25 Therefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him,
and the strength of battle;
and it set him on fire all around, but he didn't know;
and it burned him, but he didn't take it to heart."
-----
Friday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Peter Canisius
-----
+ First Reading: Song of Solomon 2:8-14
8 The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he comes,
leaping on the mountains,
skipping on the hills.
9 My beloved is like a roe or a young deer.
Behold, he stands behind our wall!
He looks in at the windows.
He glances through the lattice.
10 My beloved spoke, and said to me,
"Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
11 For, behold, the winter is past.
The rain is over and gone.
12 The flowers appear on the earth.
The time of the singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree ripens her green figs.
The vines are in blossom.
They give out their fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away."
14 My dove in the clefts of the rock,
In the hiding places of the mountainside,
Let me see your face.
Let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
2 Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre.
Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to him a new song.
Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
11 The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh,
the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.
20 Our soul has waited for Yahweh.
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in him,
because we have trusted in his holy name.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:39-45
39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 42:10-25
10 Sing to Yahweh a new song,
and his praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea,
and all that is therein,
the islands and their inhabitants.
11 Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices,
with the villages that Kedar inhabits.
Let the inhabitants of Sela sing.
Let them shout from the top of the mountains!
12 Let them give glory to Yahweh,
and declare his praise in the islands.
13 Yahweh will go out like a mighty man.
He will stir up zeal like a man of war.
He will raise a war cry.
Yes, he will shout aloud.
He will triumph over his enemies.
14 "I have been silent a long time.
I have been quiet and restrained myself.
Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.
15 I will destroy mountains and hills,
and dry up all their herbs.
I will make the rivers islands,
and will dry up the pools.
16 I will bring the blind by a way that they don't know.
I will lead them in paths that they don't know.
I will make darkness light before them,
and crooked places straight.
I will do these things,
and I will not forsake them.
17 "Those who trust in engraved images,
who tell molten images,
'You are our gods'
will be turned back.
They will be utterly disappointed.
18 "Hear, you deaf,
and look, you blind,
that you may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant?
Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send?
Who is as blind as he who is at peace,
and as blind as Yahweh's servant?
20 You see many things, but don't observe.
His ears are open, but he doesn't listen.
21 It pleased Yahweh, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify the law,
and make it honorable.
22 But this is a robbed and plundered people.
All of them are snared in holes,
and they are hidden in prisons.
They have become captives, and no one delivers;
and a plunder, and no one says, 'Restore them!'
23 Who is there among you who will give ear to this?
Who will listen and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob as plunder,
and Israel to the robbers?
Didn't Yahweh, he against whom we have sinned?
For they would not walk in his ways,
and they disobeyed his law.
25 Therefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him,
and the strength of battle;
and it set him on fire all around, but he didn't know;
and it burned him, but he didn't take it to heart."
-----
12.20.2012
Today's Bible story
December 20, 2012
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Dominic of Silos
-----
+ First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
10 Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, saying,
11 "Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above."
12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh."
13 He said, "Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also?
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.*
*7:14: "Immanuel" means "God with us".
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
A Psalm by David.
1 The earth is Yahweh's, with its fullness;
the world, and those who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the floods.
3 Who may ascend to Yahweh's hill?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4ab He who has clean hands and a pure heart;
who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood,
(and has not sworn deceitfully.)
5 He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh,
righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him,
who seek your face—even Jacob.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David's house. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!"
29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
30 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37 For nothing spoken by God is impossible."†
38 Mary said, "Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."
The angel departed from her.
†1:37: or, "For everything spoken by God is possible."
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 41:21-29
21 Produce your cause," says Yahweh.
"Bring out your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob.
22 "Let them announce, and declare to us what shall happen.
Declare the former things, what they are,
that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them;
or show us things to come.
23 Declare the things that are to come hereafter,
that we may know that you are gods.
Yes, do good, or do evil,
that we may be dismayed,
and see it together.
24 Behold, you are of nothing,
and your work is of nothing.
He who chooses you is an abomination.
25 "I have raised up one from the north, and he has come;
from the rising of the sun, one who calls on my name;
and he shall come on rulers as on mortar,
and as the potter treads clay.
26 Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know?
And before, that we may say, 'He is right?'
Surely, there is no one who declares.
Surely, there is no one who shows.
Surely, there is no one who hears your words.
27 I am the first to say to Zion, 'Behold, look at them;'
and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem.
28 When I look, there is no man;
even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask of them, can answer a word.
29 Behold, all of them, their deeds are vanity and nothing.
Their molten images are wind and confusion.
-----
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Dominic of Silos
-----
+ First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
10 Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz, saying,
11 "Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above."
12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh."
13 He said, "Listen now, house of David. Is it not enough for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God also?
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.*
*7:14: "Immanuel" means "God with us".
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
A Psalm by David.
1 The earth is Yahweh's, with its fullness;
the world, and those who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the floods.
3 Who may ascend to Yahweh's hill?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4ab He who has clean hands and a pure heart;
who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood,
(and has not sworn deceitfully.)
5 He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh,
righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him,
who seek your face—even Jacob.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David's house. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!"
29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
30 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37 For nothing spoken by God is impossible."†
38 Mary said, "Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."
The angel departed from her.
†1:37: or, "For everything spoken by God is possible."
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 41:21-29
21 Produce your cause," says Yahweh.
"Bring out your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob.
22 "Let them announce, and declare to us what shall happen.
Declare the former things, what they are,
that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them;
or show us things to come.
23 Declare the things that are to come hereafter,
that we may know that you are gods.
Yes, do good, or do evil,
that we may be dismayed,
and see it together.
24 Behold, you are of nothing,
and your work is of nothing.
He who chooses you is an abomination.
25 "I have raised up one from the north, and he has come;
from the rising of the sun, one who calls on my name;
and he shall come on rulers as on mortar,
and as the potter treads clay.
26 Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know?
And before, that we may say, 'He is right?'
Surely, there is no one who declares.
Surely, there is no one who shows.
Surely, there is no one who hears your words.
27 I am the first to say to Zion, 'Behold, look at them;'
and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem.
28 When I look, there is no man;
even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask of them, can answer a word.
29 Behold, all of them, their deeds are vanity and nothing.
Their molten images are wind and confusion.
-----
12.19.2012
Today's Bible story
December 19, 2012
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: Blessed Pope Urban V
-----
+ First Reading: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a
2 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and childless.
3 Yahweh's angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, "See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive, and bear a son.
4 Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don't eat any unclean thing:
5 for, behold, you shall conceive, and give birth to a son. No razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb. He shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
6 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, "A man of God came to me, and his face was like the face of the angel of God, very awesome; and I didn't ask him where he was from, neither did he tell me his name;
7 but he said to me, 'Behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, and don't eat any unclean thing; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.'"
24 The woman bore a son, and named him Samson. The child grew, and Yahweh blessed him.
25 Yahweh's Spirit began to move him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17
3 Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go.
Give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4a Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
(from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.)
5 For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh;
my confidence from my youth.
6ab I have relied on you from the womb.
You are he who took me out of my mother's womb.
(I will always praise you.)
16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh.
I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.
17 God, you have taught me from my youth.
Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:5-25
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
8 Now while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division,
9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.
17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord."
18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.
20 Behold,*"Behold", from "?δο?", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."
21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. 24 After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."
*1:20: "Behold", from "?δο?", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 41:8-20
8 "But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
the offspring*or, seed of Abraham my friend,
9 You whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth,
and called from its corners,
and said to you, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you away;'
10 Don't you be afraid, for I am with you.
Don't be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you.
Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
11 Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded.
Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish.
12 You will seek them, and won't find them,
even those who contend with you.
Those who war against you will be as nothing,
as a non-existent thing.
13 For I, Yahweh your God, will hold your right hand,
saying to you, 'Don't be afraid.
I will help you.'
14 Don't be afraid, you worm Jacob,
and you men of Israel.
I will help you," says Yahweh,
"and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
15 Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth.
You will thresh the mountains,
and beat them small,
and will make the hills like chaff.
16 You will winnow them,
and the wind will carry them away,
and the whirlwind will scatter them.
You will rejoice in Yahweh.
You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17 The poor and needy seek water, and there is none.
Their tongue fails for thirst.
I, Yahweh, will answer them.
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and springs in the middle of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.
19 I will put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oil trees in the wilderness.
I will set cypress trees, pine, and box trees together in the desert;
20 that they may see, know, consider, and understand together,
that Yahweh's hand has done this,
and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
-----
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: Blessed Pope Urban V
-----
+ First Reading: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a
2 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and childless.
3 Yahweh's angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, "See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive, and bear a son.
4 Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don't eat any unclean thing:
5 for, behold, you shall conceive, and give birth to a son. No razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb. He shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines."
6 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, "A man of God came to me, and his face was like the face of the angel of God, very awesome; and I didn't ask him where he was from, neither did he tell me his name;
7 but he said to me, 'Behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, and don't eat any unclean thing; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.'"
24 The woman bore a son, and named him Samson. The child grew, and Yahweh blessed him.
25 Yahweh's Spirit began to move him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17
3 Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go.
Give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4a Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
(from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.)
5 For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh;
my confidence from my youth.
6ab I have relied on you from the womb.
You are he who took me out of my mother's womb.
(I will always praise you.)
16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh.
I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.
17 God, you have taught me from my youth.
Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 1:5-25
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
8 Now while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division,
9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.
17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord."
18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.
20 Behold,*"Behold", from "?δο?", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."
21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. 24 After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."
*1:20: "Behold", from "?δο?", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 41:8-20
8 "But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
the offspring*or, seed of Abraham my friend,
9 You whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth,
and called from its corners,
and said to you, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you away;'
10 Don't you be afraid, for I am with you.
Don't be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you.
Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
11 Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded.
Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish.
12 You will seek them, and won't find them,
even those who contend with you.
Those who war against you will be as nothing,
as a non-existent thing.
13 For I, Yahweh your God, will hold your right hand,
saying to you, 'Don't be afraid.
I will help you.'
14 Don't be afraid, you worm Jacob,
and you men of Israel.
I will help you," says Yahweh,
"and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
15 Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth.
You will thresh the mountains,
and beat them small,
and will make the hills like chaff.
16 You will winnow them,
and the wind will carry them away,
and the whirlwind will scatter them.
You will rejoice in Yahweh.
You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17 The poor and needy seek water, and there is none.
Their tongue fails for thirst.
I, Yahweh, will answer them.
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and springs in the middle of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.
19 I will put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oil trees in the wilderness.
I will set cypress trees, pine, and box trees together in the desert;
20 that they may see, know, consider, and understand together,
that Yahweh's hand has done this,
and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
-----
12.18.2012
Today's Bible story
December 18, 2012
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Gatian of Tours
-----
+ First Reading: Jeremiah 23:5-8
5 Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name by which he shall be called: Yahweh our righteousness.
7 Therefore behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that they shall no more say, As Yahweh lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
8 but, As Yahweh lives, who brought up and who led the offspring* of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all the countries where I had driven them. They shall dwell in their own land.
*23:8: or, seed
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
1 God, give the king your justice;
your righteousness to the royal son.
2 He will judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries;
the poor, who has no helper.
13 He will have pity on the poor and needy.
He will save the souls of the needy.
18 Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and amen.
-----
+ Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
19 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.
20 But when he thought about these things, behold,‡ an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins."
22 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child,
and shall give birth to a son.
They shall call his name Immanuel";
which is, being interpreted, "God with us."☆
24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
25 and didn't know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
‡1:20: "Behold", from "?δο?", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
☆1:23: Isaiah 7:14
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 40:12-18、21-31
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
and marked off the sky with his span,
and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket,
and weighed the mountains in scales,
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who has directed Yahweh's Spirit,
or has taught him as his counselor?
14 Who did he take counsel with,
and who instructed him,
and taught him in the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket,
and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance.
Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All the nations are like nothing before him.
They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.
18 To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare to him?
21 Haven't you known?
Haven't you heard, yet?
Haven't you been told from the beginning?
Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in;
23 who brings princes to nothing;
who makes the judges of the earth like meaningless.
24 They are planted scarcely.
They are sown scarcely.
Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground.
He merely blows on them, and they wither,
and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.
25 "To whom then will you liken me?
Who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high,
and see who has created these,
who brings out their army by number.
He calls them all by name.
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power,
Not one is lacking.
27 Why do you say, Jacob,
and speak, Israel,
"My way is hidden from Yahweh,
and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?"
28 Haven't you known?
Haven't you heard?
The everlasting God, Yahweh,
The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't faint.
He isn't weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak.
He increases the strength of him who has no might.
30 Even the youths faint and get weary,
and the young men utterly fall;
31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.
They will mount up with wings like eagles.
They will run, and not be weary.
They will walk, and not faint.
-----
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints: St. Gatian of Tours
-----
+ First Reading: Jeremiah 23:5-8
5 Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name by which he shall be called: Yahweh our righteousness.
7 Therefore behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that they shall no more say, As Yahweh lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
8 but, As Yahweh lives, who brought up and who led the offspring* of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all the countries where I had driven them. They shall dwell in their own land.
*23:8: or, seed
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
1 God, give the king your justice;
your righteousness to the royal son.
2 He will judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries;
the poor, who has no helper.
13 He will have pity on the poor and needy.
He will save the souls of the needy.
18 Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and amen.
-----
+ Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
19 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.
20 But when he thought about these things, behold,‡ an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins."
22 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child,
and shall give birth to a son.
They shall call his name Immanuel";
which is, being interpreted, "God with us."☆
24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
25 and didn't know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
‡1:20: "Behold", from "?δο?", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
☆1:23: Isaiah 7:14
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 40:12-18、21-31
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
and marked off the sky with his span,
and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket,
and weighed the mountains in scales,
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who has directed Yahweh's Spirit,
or has taught him as his counselor?
14 Who did he take counsel with,
and who instructed him,
and taught him in the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket,
and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance.
Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All the nations are like nothing before him.
They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.
18 To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare to him?
21 Haven't you known?
Haven't you heard, yet?
Haven't you been told from the beginning?
Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in;
23 who brings princes to nothing;
who makes the judges of the earth like meaningless.
24 They are planted scarcely.
They are sown scarcely.
Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground.
He merely blows on them, and they wither,
and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.
25 "To whom then will you liken me?
Who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high,
and see who has created these,
who brings out their army by number.
He calls them all by name.
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power,
Not one is lacking.
27 Why do you say, Jacob,
and speak, Israel,
"My way is hidden from Yahweh,
and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?"
28 Haven't you known?
Haven't you heard?
The everlasting God, Yahweh,
The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn't faint.
He isn't weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak.
He increases the strength of him who has no might.
30 Even the youths faint and get weary,
and the young men utterly fall;
31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.
They will mount up with wings like eagles.
They will run, and not be weary.
They will walk, and not faint.
-----
12.17.2012
Today's Bible story
December 17, 2012
Monday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints:
St. Jose' Manyanet y Vives
St. Olympias
-----
+ First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10
2 Assemble yourselves, and hear, you sons of Jacob.
Listen to Israel, your father.
8 "Judah, your brothers will praise you.
Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.
Your father's sons will bow down before you.
9 Judah is a lion's cub.
From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He stooped down, he crouched as a lion,
as a lioness.
Who will rouse him up?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs.
To him will the obedience of the peoples be.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17
1 God, give the king your justice;
your righteousness to the royal son.
2 He will judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
3 The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people.
The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.
4 He will judge the poor of the people.
He will save the children of the needy,
(and will break the oppressor in pieces.)
7 In his days, the righteous shall flourish,
and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
from the River to the ends of the earth.
17 His name endures forever.
His name continues as long as the sun.
Men shall be blessed by him.
All nations will call him blessed.
-----
+ Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,* the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram.
4 Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon.
5 Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse.
6 Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah's wife.
7 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa.
8 Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah.
11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel.
13 Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor.
14 Azor became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud.
15 Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob.
16 Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus,† who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.
*1:1: Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean "Anointed One"
†1:16: "Jesus" means "Salvation".
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
1 "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God.
2 "Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh's hand double for all her sins."
3 The voice of one who calls out,
"Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness!
Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The uneven shall be made level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 Yahweh's glory shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together;
for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it."
6 The voice of one saying, "Cry!"
One said, "What shall I cry?"
"All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers,
the flower fades,
because Yahweh's breath blows on it.
Surely the people are like grass.
8 The grass withers,
the flower fades;
but the word of our God stands forever."
9 You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength.
Lift it up. Don't be afraid.
Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!"
10 Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one,
and his arm will rule for him.
Behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will gather the lambs in his arm,
and carry them in his bosom.
He will gently lead those who have their young.
-----
Monday of the Third Week of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints:
St. Jose' Manyanet y Vives
St. Olympias
-----
+ First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10
2 Assemble yourselves, and hear, you sons of Jacob.
Listen to Israel, your father.
8 "Judah, your brothers will praise you.
Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.
Your father's sons will bow down before you.
9 Judah is a lion's cub.
From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He stooped down, he crouched as a lion,
as a lioness.
Who will rouse him up?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs.
To him will the obedience of the peoples be.
-----
+ Psalm: Psalms 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17
1 God, give the king your justice;
your righteousness to the royal son.
2 He will judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
3 The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people.
The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.
4 He will judge the poor of the people.
He will save the children of the needy,
(and will break the oppressor in pieces.)
7 In his days, the righteous shall flourish,
and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
from the River to the ends of the earth.
17 His name endures forever.
His name continues as long as the sun.
Men shall be blessed by him.
All nations will call him blessed.
-----
+ Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,* the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram.
4 Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon.
5 Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse.
6 Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah's wife.
7 Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa.
8 Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah.
11 Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon.
12 After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel.
13 Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor.
14 Azor became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud.
15 Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob.
16 Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus,† who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.
*1:1: Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean "Anointed One"
†1:16: "Jesus" means "Salvation".
-----
+ Today's Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
1 "Comfort, comfort my people," says your God.
2 "Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh's hand double for all her sins."
3 The voice of one who calls out,
"Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness!
Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The uneven shall be made level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 Yahweh's glory shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together;
for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it."
6 The voice of one saying, "Cry!"
One said, "What shall I cry?"
"All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers,
the flower fades,
because Yahweh's breath blows on it.
Surely the people are like grass.
8 The grass withers,
the flower fades;
but the word of our God stands forever."
9 You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength.
Lift it up. Don't be afraid.
Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!"
10 Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one,
and his arm will rule for him.
Behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will gather the lambs in his arm,
and carry them in his bosom.
He will gently lead those who have their young.
-----
12.16.2012
Today's Bible story
December 16, 2012
Third Sunday of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints:
St. Adelaide
-----
+ First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a
14 Sing, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem.
15 Yahweh has taken away your judgments. He has thrown out your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you. You will not be afraid of evil any more.
16 In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, "Don't be afraid, Zion. Don't let your hands be weak."
17 Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
18a I will remove those who grieve about the appointed feasts from you. (They are a burden and a reproach to you.)
-----
+ Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.
2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation."
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say, "Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name. Declare his doings among the peoples. Proclaim that his name is exalted!
5 Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
6 Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!"
-----
+ Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, "Rejoice!"
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 3:10-18
10 The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"
11 He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"
13 He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."
14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?"
He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,
16 John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,
-----
+ Today's Reading: Ruth 4:1-22
1 Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. He said to him, "Come over here, friend, and sit down!" He turned aside, and sat down.
2 He took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, "Sit down here," and they sat down.
3 He said to the near kinsman, "Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's.
4 I thought I should tell you, saying, 'Buy it before those who sit here, and before the elders of my people.' If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know. For there is no one to redeem it besides you; and I am after you."
He said, "I will redeem it."
5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance."
6 The near kinsman said, "I can't redeem it for myself, lest I endanger my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption for yourself; for I can't redeem it."
7 Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man took off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the way of legalizing transactions in Israel.
8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself," then he took off his shoe.
9 Boaz said to the elders, and to all the people, "You are witnesses today, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses today."
11 All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which both built the house of Israel; and treat you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem.
12 Let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the offspring* which Yahweh will give you by this young woman."
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son.
14 The women said to Naomi, "Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you today without a near kinsman. Let his name be famous in Israel.
15 He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."
16 Naomi took the child, and laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to it.
17 The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, "A son is born to Naomi". They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now this is the history of the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron,
19 and Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father of Amminadab,
20 and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became the father of Salmon,
21 and Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed,
22 and Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David.
*4:12: or, seed
-----
Third Sunday of Advent.
We hope that today is a good day.
Today's Bible story based on the calendar of the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/calendar.php
Most of these contents are things of The World English Bible.
http://ebible.org/web/
We hope that everyone in the peace of the Lord.
-----
+ Saints:
St. Adelaide
-----
+ First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a
14 Sing, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem.
15 Yahweh has taken away your judgments. He has thrown out your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you. You will not be afraid of evil any more.
16 In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, "Don't be afraid, Zion. Don't let your hands be weak."
17 Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
18a I will remove those who grieve about the appointed feasts from you. (They are a burden and a reproach to you.)
-----
+ Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.
2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation."
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say, "Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name. Declare his doings among the peoples. Proclaim that his name is exalted!
5 Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
6 Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!"
-----
+ Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, "Rejoice!"
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
-----
+ Gospel: Luke 3:10-18
10 The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"
11 He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"
13 He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."
14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?"
He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,
16 John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,
-----
+ Today's Reading: Ruth 4:1-22
1 Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. He said to him, "Come over here, friend, and sit down!" He turned aside, and sat down.
2 He took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, "Sit down here," and they sat down.
3 He said to the near kinsman, "Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's.
4 I thought I should tell you, saying, 'Buy it before those who sit here, and before the elders of my people.' If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know. For there is no one to redeem it besides you; and I am after you."
He said, "I will redeem it."
5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance."
6 The near kinsman said, "I can't redeem it for myself, lest I endanger my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption for yourself; for I can't redeem it."
7 Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man took off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the way of legalizing transactions in Israel.
8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself," then he took off his shoe.
9 Boaz said to the elders, and to all the people, "You are witnesses today, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses today."
11 All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which both built the house of Israel; and treat you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem.
12 Let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the offspring* which Yahweh will give you by this young woman."
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son.
14 The women said to Naomi, "Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you today without a near kinsman. Let his name be famous in Israel.
15 He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."
16 Naomi took the child, and laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to it.
17 The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, "A son is born to Naomi". They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now this is the history of the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron,
19 and Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father of Amminadab,
20 and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became the father of Salmon,
21 and Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed,
22 and Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David.
*4:12: or, seed
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