8.24.2013

Today's Bible story

August 24, 2013

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

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/

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+ Saints: St. Bartholomew, Apostle
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=569

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Gospel: John 1:45-51

45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"

48 Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

49 Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!"

50 Jesus answered him, "Because I told you, 'I saw you underneath the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these!"

51 He said to him, "Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

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Revelation 21:9b-14

9b and he spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb's bride."

10 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

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* 1 Corinthians 4:1-16

1 So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries.

2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful.

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgement. Yes, I don't judge my own self.

4 For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

6 Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.

7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

8 You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.

9 For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honour, but we have dishonour.

11 Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.

12 We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.

13 Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.

14 I don't write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

15 For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.

16 I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/John.1

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.23.2013

Today's Bible story

August 23, 2013

Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

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/

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+ Saints: St. Rose of Lima
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=577

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Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

34 But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together.

35 One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him.

36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"

37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'☆

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'☆

40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."


☆22:37: Deuteronomy 6:5

☆22:39: Leviticus 19:18


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Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22

1 In the days when the judges judged, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

3 Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.

4 They took for themselves wives of the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years.

5 Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab; for she had heard in the country of Moab how the LORD * had visited his people in giving them bread.

14b then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her.

15 She said, "Behold,† your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law."

16 Ruth said, "Don't urge me to leave you, and to return from following you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God‡ my God.

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.


*1:6: When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, "LORD" or "GOD" is the translation of God's Proper Name.

†1:15: "Behold", from "??????", means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

‡1:16: The Hebrew word rendered "God" is "?????????" (Elohim).

=====

* Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,

19 and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.22

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.22.2013

Today's Bible story

August 22, 2013

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/

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Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

1 Jesus answered and spoke again in parables to them, saying,

2 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son,

3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come.

4 Again he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast!"'

5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise,

6 and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them.

7 When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city.

8 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren't worthy.

9 Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.'

10 Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.

11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn't have on wedding clothing,

12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?' He was speechless.

13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.'

14 For many are called, but few chosen."

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* Judges 11:29-39a

29 Then the LORD's Spirit came on Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed over to the children of Ammon.

30 Jephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, "If you will indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,

31 then it shall be, that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be the LORD's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering."

32 So Jephthah passed over to the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hand.

33 He struck them from Aroer until you come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and to Abelcheramim, with a very great slaughter. So the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

34 Jephthah came to Mizpah to his house; and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.

35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes, and said, "Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you are one of those who trouble me; for I have opened my mouth to the LORD, and I can't go back."

36 She said to him, "My father, you have opened your mouth to the LORD; do to me according to that which has proceeded out of your mouth, because the LORD has taken vengeance for you on your enemies, even on the children of Ammon."

37 She said to her father, "Let this thing be done for me. Leave me alone two months, that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions."

38 He said, "Go." He sent her away for two months: and she departed, she and her companions, and mourned her virginity on the mountains.

39a At the end of two months, she returned to her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed.

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* Ephesians 3:1-13

1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,

2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me towards you;

3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,

4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,

7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

9 and to make all men see what is the administration*TR reads "fellowship" instead of "administration" of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;

10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,

11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;

12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.22

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.21.2013

Today's Bible story

August 21, 2013

Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope

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/

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+ Saints: Pope St. Pius X
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=575

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Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

1 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.

2 When he had agreed with the labourers for a denarius*A denarius is a silver Roman coin worth 1/25th of a Roman aureus. This was a common wage for a day of farm labour. a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 He went out about the third hour,†Time was measured from sunrise to sunset, so the third hour would be about 9:00 AM. and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.

4 He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went their way.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour,‡noon and 3:00 P. M. and did likewise.

6 About the eleventh hour§5:00 PM he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?'

7 "They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.'
"He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.'

8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.'

9 "When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.

10 When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.

11 When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,

12 saying, 'These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!'

13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me for a denarius?

14 Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.

15 Isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?'

16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen."

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Judges 9:6-15

6 All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.

7 When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, cried out, and said to them, "Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.

8 The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'

9 "But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I stop producing my oil, with which they honour God and man by me, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?'

10 "The trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and reign over us.'

11 "But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?'

12 "The trees said to the vine, 'Come and reign over us.'

13 "The vine said to them, 'Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?'

14 "Then all the trees said to the bramble, 'Come and reign over us.'

15 "The bramble said to the trees, 'If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'

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* Ephesians 2:11-22

11 Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision", (in the flesh, made by hands);

12 that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition,

15 having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;

16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby.

17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.

18 For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,

20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;

21 in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;

22 in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.20

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.20.2013

Today's Bible story

August 20, 2013

Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

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/

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+ Saints: St. Bernard de Clairvaux
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=574

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Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30

23 Jesus said to his disciples, "Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into God's Kingdom."

25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

26 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

27 Then Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?"

28 Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.

30 But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.

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Judges 6:11-24a

11 the LORD's angel came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah, that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites.

12 the LORD's angel appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valour!"

13 Gideon said to him, "Oh, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying, 'Didn't the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian."

14 The LORD looked at him, and said, "Go in this your might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Haven't I sent you?"

15 He said to him, "O Lord,*The word translated "Lord" is "Adonai." how shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."

16 The LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man."

17 He said to him, "If now I have found favour in your sight, then show me a sign that it is you who talk with me.

18 Please don't go away, until I come to you, and bring out my present, and lay it before you."
He said, "I will wait until you come back."

19 Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes of an ephah †1 ephah is about 22 litres or about 2/3 of a bushel of meal. He put the meat in a basket and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out to him under the oak, and presented it.

20 The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth."
He did so.

21 Then the LORD's angel stretched out the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes; and fire went up out of the rock, and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. Then the LORD's angel departed out of his sight.

22 Gideon saw that he was the LORD's angel; and Gideon said, "Alas, Lord GOD! Because I have seen the LORD's angel face to face!"

23 The LORD said to him, "Peace be to you! Don't be afraid. You shall not die."

24a Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it "the LORD is Peace."


*6:15: The word translated "Lord" is "Adonai."

†6:19: 1 ephah is about 22 litres or about 2/3 of a bushel

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* Ephesians 2:1-10

1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,

2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;

3 amongst whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus;

8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, that no one would boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.19

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.19.2013

Today's Bible story

August 19, 2013

Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

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/

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+ Saints: St. John Eudes
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=568

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Gospel: Matthew (19:16-22)

16 Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"

17 He said to him, "Why do you call me good?*So MT and TR. NU reads "Why do you ask me about what is good?" No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

18 He said to him, "Which ones?"
Jesus said, "'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.'

19 'Honour your father and your mother.'☆Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20 And, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'"☆Leviticus 19:18

20 The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"

21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.


*19:17: So MT and TR. NU reads "Why do you ask me about what is good?"

☆19:19: Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20

☆19:19: Leviticus 19:18

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Judges 2:11-19

11 The children of Israel did that which was evil in the LORD's sight, and served the Baals.

12 They abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger.

13 They abandoned the LORD, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.

14 the LORD's anger burnt against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

15 Wherever they went out, the LORD's hand was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken, and as the LORD had sworn to them; and they were very distressed.

16 The LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

17 Yet they didn't listen to their judges; for they prostituted themselves to other gods, and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly out of the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the LORD's commandments. They didn't do so.

18 When the LORD raised up judges for them, then the LORD was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it grieved the LORD because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them.

19 But when the judge was dead, they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them. They didn't cease what they were doing, or give up their stubborn ways.

=====

* Ephesians 1:15-23

15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is amongst you, and the love which you have towards all the saints,

16 don't cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

18 having the eyes of your hearts*TR reads "understanding" instead of "hearts" enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.


*1:18: TR reads "understanding" instead of "hearts"

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.19

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.18.2013

Today's Bible story

August 18, 2013

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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/

-----

+ Saints: St. John Mary Vianney
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=322

-----

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

13 One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"

15 He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."

16 He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly.

17 He reasoned within himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I don't have room to store my crops?'

18 He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

19 I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."'

20 "But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?'

21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God."

-----

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23

1:2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

2:21 For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not laboured for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

22 For what has a man of all his labour, and of the striving of his heart, in which he labours under the sun?

23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

-----

Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

9 Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

11 where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

=====

* Ephesians 1:1-14

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God,
to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love;

5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,

6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favour in the Beloved,

7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

8 which he made to abound towards us in all wisdom and prudence,

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

10 to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;

11 in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will;

12 to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:

13 in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

14 who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Luke.12

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.17.2013

Today's Bible story

August 17, 2013

Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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/

-----

+ Saints: St. Hyacinth
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=566

-----

Gospel: Matthew 19:13-15

13 Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, "Allow the little children, and don't forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these."

15 He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.

-----

Joshua 24:14-29

14 "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve the LORD.

15 If it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

16 The people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;

17 for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way in which we went, and amongst all the peoples through the middle of whom we passed.

18 The LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD; for he is our God."

19 Joshua said to the people, "You can't serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins.

20 If you forsake the LORD, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after he has done you good."

21 The people said to Joshua, "No, but we will serve the LORD."

22 Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD yourselves, to serve him."
They said, "We are witnesses."

23 "Now therefore put away the foreign gods which are amongst you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel."

24 The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God, and we will listen to his voice."

25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.

26 Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a great stone, and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.

27 Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the LORD's words which he spoke to us. It shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deny your God."

28 So Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.

29 After these things, Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being one hundred and ten years old.

=====

* 2 Kings 13:10-25

10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz began to reign over Israel in Samaria for sixteen years.

11 He did that which was evil in the LORD's sight. He didn't depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin; but he walked in them.

12 Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

13 Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

14 Now Elisha became sick with the illness of which he died; and Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over him, and said, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!"

15 Elisha said to him, "Take bow and arrows"; and he took bow and arrows for himself.

16 He said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow"; and he put his hand on it. Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands.

17 He said, "Open the window eastward"; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot!" and he shot. He said, "The LORD's arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for you will strike the Syrians in Aphek, until you have consumed them."

18 He said, "Take the arrows"; and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground"; and he struck three times, and stopped.

19 The man of God was angry with him, and said, "You should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck Syria until you had consumed it; whereas now you will strike Syria just three times."

20 Elisha died, and they buried him.
Now the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.

21 As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a band of raiders; and they threw the man into Elisha's tomb. As soon as the man touched Elisha's bones, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

22 Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

23 But the LORD was gracious to them, and had compassion on them, and had respect for them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, and he didn't cast them from his presence as yet.

24 Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his place.

25 Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Joash struck him three times, and recovered the cities of Israel.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.19

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.16.2013

Today's Bible story

August 16, 2013

Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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/

-----

+ Saints: St. Stephen of Hungary
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=565

-----

Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12

3 Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"

4 He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,☆

5 and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?'☆

6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart."

7 They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?"

8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.

9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery."

10 His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry."

11 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.

12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it."


☆19:4: Genesis 1:27

☆19:5: Genesis 2:24

-----

Joshua 24:1-13

1 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

2 Joshua said to all the people, "the LORD says, the God of Israel, 'Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.

3 I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his offspring,* and gave him Isaac.

4 I gave to Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave to Esau Mount Seir, to possess it. Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

5 "'I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did amongst them: and afterward I brought you out.

6 I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and you came to the sea. The Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and with horsemen to the Red Sea.

7 When they cried out to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea on them, and covered them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. You lived in the wilderness many days.

8 "'I brought you into the land of the Amorites, that lived beyond the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand. You possessed their land, and I destroyed them from before you.

9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. He sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you,

10 but I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he blessed you still. So I delivered you out of his hand.

11 "'You went over the Jordan, and came to Jericho. The men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I delivered them into your hand.

12 I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; not with your sword, nor with your bow.

13 I gave you a land whereon you had not laboured, and cities which you didn't build, and you live in them. You eat of vineyards and olive groves which you didn't plant.'

=====

* 2 Kings 11:1-12:1

11:1 Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal offspring.*

2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from amongst the king's sons who were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bedroom; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.

3 He was with her hidden in the LORD's house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.

4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the LORD's house; and he made a covenant with them, and made a covenant with them in the LORD's house, and showed them the king's son.

5 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must do: a third of you, who come in on the Sabbath, shall be keepers of the watch of the king's house;

6 a third of you shall be at the gate Sur; and a third of you at the gate behind the guard. So you shall keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier.

7 The two companies of you, even all who go out on the Sabbath, shall keep the watch of the LORD's house around the king.

8 You shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he who comes within the ranks, let him be slain. Be with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in."

9 The captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they each took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath, with those who were to go out on the Sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.

10 The priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spears and shields that had been king David's, which were in the LORD's house.

11 The guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, around the king.

12 Then he brought out the king's son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, "Long live the king!"

13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the LORD's house:

14 and she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, with the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and cried, "Treason! Treason!"

15 Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks. Kill anyone who follows her with the sword." For the priest said, "Don't let her be slain in the LORD's house."

16 So they made way for her; and she went by the way of the horses' entry to the king's house, and she was slain there.

17 Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD's people; also between the king and the people.

18 All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down; his altars and his images broke they in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. The priest appointed officers over the LORD's house.

19 He took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the LORD's house, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. He sat on the throne of the kings.

20 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king's house.

21 Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.

12:1 Jehoash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.


*11:1: or, seed

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.19

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.15.2013

Today's Bible story

August 15, 2013

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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/

-----

+ Saints: The Assumption
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=561

-----

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

38 Mary said, "Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."
The angel departed from her.

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 lept in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

43 Why am I so favoured, 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 lept in my womb for joy!

45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"

46 Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord.

47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour,

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‡or, seed forever."

56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.


‡1:55: or, seed

-----

Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

19a God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple.

12:1 A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

2 She was with child. She cried out in pain, labouring to give birth.

3 Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns.

4 His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.

6a The woman fled into the wilderness,

10ab I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come;

-----

1 Corinthians 15:20-27a

20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.

21 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man.

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ's, at his coming.

24 Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

27a For, "He put all things in subjection under his feet."☆Psalm 8:6


☆15:27: Psalm 8:6

=====

* Ephesians 1:16-2:10

16 don't cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

18 having the eyes of your hearts*TR reads "understanding" instead of "hearts" enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

2:1 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,

2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;

3 amongst whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus;

8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

9 not of works, that no one would boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.


*1:18: TR reads "understanding" instead of "hearts"

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Luke.1

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
http://www.biblepath.com/bible_download.html

-----

8.14.2013

Today's Bible story

August 14, 2013

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

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/

-----

+ Saints: St. Maximillian Kolbe
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=560

-----

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

15 "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.

16 But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.☆Deuteronomy 19:15

17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.

18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.

19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them."


☆18:16: Deuteronomy 19:15

-----

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

1 Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. The LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, to Dan,

2 and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the western sea,

3 and the south,*or, Negev and the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, to Zoar.

4 The LORD said to him, "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your offspring.†or, seed' I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there."

5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the LORD's word.

6 He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth Peor, but no man knows where his tomb is to this day.

7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor his strength gone.

8 The children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the days of weeping in the mourning for Moses were ended.

9 Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands on him. The children of Israel listened to him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

10 Since then, there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

11 in all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,

12 and in all the mighty hand, and in all the awesome deeds, which Moses did in the sight of all Israel.


*34:3: or, Negev

†34:4: or, seed

=====

* 2 Kings 6:24-25, 32-7:16

24 After this, Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria.

25 There was a great famine in Samaria. Behold, they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab*A kab was about 2 litres, so a fourth of a kab would be about 500 milliliters or about a pint of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.

32 But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Then the king sent a man from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, "Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Behold, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Isn't the sound of his master's feet behind him?"

33 While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, "Behold, this evil is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?"

7:1 Elisha said, "Hear the LORD's word. the LORD says, 'Tomorrow about this time a seah*1 seah is about 7 litres or 1.9 gallons or 0.8 pecks of fine flour will be sold for a shekel,†a shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces. In this context, it was probably a silver coin weighing that much. and two seahs of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'"

2 Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, "Behold, if the LORD made windows in heaven, could this thing be?"
He said, "Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it."

3 Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. They said to one another, "Why do we sit here until we die?

4 If we say, 'We will enter into the city,' then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. If we sit still here, we also die. Now therefore come, and let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die."

5 They rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Syrians. When they had come to the outermost part of the camp of the Syrians, behold, no man was there.

6 For the Lord‡The word translated "Lord" is "Adonai." had made the army of the Syrians to hear the sound of chariots, and the sound of horses, even the noise of a great army; and they said to one another, "Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us."

7 Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their donkeys, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

8 When these lepers came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drink, and carried away silver, gold, and clothing, and went and hid it. Then they came back, and entered into another tent, and carried things from there also, and went and hid them.

9 Then they said to one another, "We aren't doing right. Today is a day of good news, and we keep silent. If we wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let's go and tell the king's household."

10 So they came and called to the city gatekeepers; and they told them, "We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, not even a man's voice, but the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were."

11 He called the gatekeepers; and they told it to the king's household within.

12 The king arose in the night, and said to his servants, "I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry. Therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, 'When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and get into the city.'"

13 One of his servants answered, "Please let some people take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are consumed. Let us send and see."

14 Therefore they took two chariots with horses; and the king them sent out to the Syrian army, saying, "Go and see."
15 They went after them to the Jordan; and behold, all the path was full of garments and equipment which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. The messengers returned, and told the king.

16 The people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a seah§1 seah is about 7 litres or 1.9 gallons or 0.8 pecks of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel,**a shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces. In this context, it was probably a silver coin weighing that much. according to the LORD's word.


*6:25: A kab was about 2 litres, so a fourth of a kab would be about 500 milliliters or about a pint

*7:1: 1 seah is about 7 litres or 1.9 gallons or 0.8 pecks

†7:1: a shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces. In this context, it was probably a silver coin weighing that much.

‡7:6: The word translated "Lord" is "Adonai."

§7:16: 1 seah is about 7 litres or 1.9 gallons or 0.8 pecks

**7:16: a shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces. In this context, it was probably a silver coin weighing that much.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.18

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
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-----

8.13.2013

Today's Bible story

August 13, 2013

Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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/

-----

+ Saints:
St. Maximus
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=331
St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=559

-----

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"

2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them,

3 and said, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,

10 See that you don't despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

12 "What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?

13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

-----

Deuteronomy 31:1-8

1 Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel.

2 He said to them, "I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no more go out and come in. the LORD has said to me, 'You shall not go over this Jordan.'

3 The LORD your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua will go over before you, as the LORD has spoken.

4 The LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land; whom he destroyed.

5 The LORD will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandment which I have commanded you.

6 Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or scared of them; for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you."

7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it.

8 The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don't be afraid. Don't be discouraged."

=====

* 2 Kings 6:8-23

8 Now the king of Syria was at war against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place."

9 The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Beware that you not pass this place; for the Syrians are coming down there."

10 The king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once or twice.

11 The king of Syria's heart was very troubled about this. He called his servants, and said to them, "Won't you show me which of us is for the king of Israel?"

12 One of his servants said, "No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom."

13 He said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him."
He was told, "Behold, he is in Dothan."

14 Therefore he sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. They came by night, and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God had risen early, and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. His servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"

16 He answered, "Don't be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

17 Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, please open his eyes, that he may see." the LORD opened the young man's eyes; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.

18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, "Please strike this people with blindness."
He struck them with blindness according to Elijah's word.

19 Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." He led them to Samaria.

20 When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, "LORD, open these men's eyes, that they may see."
The LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the middle of Samaria.

21 The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, "My father, shall I strike them? Shall I strike them?"

22 He answered, "You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master."

23 He prepared great feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria stopped raiding the land of Israel.

-----

☆The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
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☆Douay-Rheims Bible
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★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.18

FREE King James Version Bible Download.
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-----

8.12.2013

Today's Bible story

August 12, 2013

Monday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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/

-----

+ Saints:
Blessed Pope Innocent XI
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=330
St. Jane Frances de Chantal
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=567

-----

Gospel: Matthew 17:22-26

22 While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,

23 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up."
They were exceedingly sorry.

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins†A didrachma is a Greek silver coin worth 2 drachmas, about as much as 2 Roman denarii, or about 2 days' wages. It was commonly used to pay the half-shekel temple tax, because 2 drachmas were worth one half shekel of silver. A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces. came to Peter, and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the didrachma?"

25 He said, "Yes."
When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?"

26 Peter said to him, "From strangers."
Jesus said to him, "Therefore the children are exempt.


†17:24: A didrachma is a Greek silver coin worth 2 drachmas, about as much as 2 Roman denarii, or about 2 days' wages. It was commonly used to pay the half-shekel temple tax, because 2 drachmas were worth one half shekel of silver. A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces.

-----

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

12 Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,

13 to keep the LORD's commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good?

14 Behold, to the LORD your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein.

15 Only the LORD had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring*or, seed after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.

16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.

17 For the LORD your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn't respect persons, nor takes reward.

18 He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing.

19 Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

20 You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve him; and you shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.

21 He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things, which your eyes have seen.

22 Your fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of the sky for multitude.


*10:15: or, seed

=====

* 2 Kings 5:1-19a

1 Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper.

2 The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

3 She said to her mistress, "I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy."

4 Someone went in, and told his lord, saying, "The maiden who is from the land of Israel said this."

5 The king of Syria said, "Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel."
He departed, and took with him ten talents*A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing.

6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, "Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy."

7 When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes, and said, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to heal a man of his leprosy? But please consider and see how he seeks a quarrel against me."

8 It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel."

9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean."

11 But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper.'

12 Aren't Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them, and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage.

13 His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean?'"

14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

15 He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, "See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant."

16 But he said, "As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none."
He urged him to take it; but he refused.

17 Naaman said, "If not, then, please let two mules' burden of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD.

18 In this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant in this thing."

19a He said to him, "Go in peace."


*5:5: A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds

-----

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http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/

☆Douay-Rheims Bible
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★Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.17

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8.11.2013

Today's Bible story

August 11, 2013

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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/

-----

+ Saints: St. Clare of Assisi
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=564

-----

Gospel: Luke 12:32-48

32 Don't be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

33 Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35 "Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.

36 Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them.

38 They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so.

39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.

40 Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don't expect him."

41 Peter said to him, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?"

42 The Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times?

43 Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.

44 Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has.

45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My lord delays his coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken,

46 then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn't expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn't know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful.

47 That servant, who knew his lord's will, and didn't prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,

48 but he who didn't know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.

-----

Wisdom of Solomon 18:6-9

6 Of that night were our fathers made aware beforehand,
That, having sure knowledge, they might be cheered by the oaths which they had trusted:

7 So by your people was expected salvation of the righteous and destruction of the enemies;

8 For as you did take vengeance on the adversaries,
†† By the same means, calling us to yourself, you did glorify us.

9 For holy children ‡‡ of good men offered sacrifice in secret,
And with one consent they took upon themselves the covenant of the §§ divine law,
That *** they would partake alike in the same good things and the same perils;
The fathers already leading the sacred songs of praise.


††18:8: Gr. By this.

‡‡18:9: Or, of blessing Gr. of good men, or, of good things.

§§18:9: Gr. law of divineness.

***18:9: Some authorities read the saints would partake...perils; already leading the fathers' songs of praise.

-----

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.

2 For by this, the elders obtained testimony.

8 By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.

9 By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.

10 For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen† them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son,

18 to whom it was said, "your offspring‡ will be accounted as from Isaac"; ☆

19 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.


†11:13: TR adds "and being convinced of"

‡11:18: or, seed

☆11:18: Genesis 21:12

-----

* 2 Kings 4:38-44, 6:1-7

4:38 Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was a famine in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, "Get the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets."

39 One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered a lap full of wild gourds from it, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew; for they didn't recognise them.

40 So they poured out for the men to eat. As they were eating some of the stew, they cried out, and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.

41 But he said, "Then bring meal." He threw it into the pot; and he said, "Serve it to the people, that they may eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

42 A man from Baal Shalishah came, and brought the man of God bread some of the first fruits: twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. He said, "Give to the people, that they may eat."

43 His servant said, "What, should I set this before a hundred men?"
But he said, "Give the people, that they may eat; for the LORD says, 'They will eat, and will have some left over.'"

44 So he set it before them, and they ate, and had some left over, according to the LORD's word.

6:1 The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See now, the place where we live and meet with you is too small for us.

2 Please let us go to the Jordan, and each man take a beam from there, and let us make us a place there, where we may live."
He answered, "Go!"

3 One said, "Please be pleased to go with your servants."
He answered, "I will go."

4 So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.

5 But as one was cutting down a tree, the axe head fell into the water. Then he cried, and said, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed."

6 The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, threw it in there, and made the iron float.

7 He said, "Take it." So he put out his hand and took it.

-----

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http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Luke.12

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8.10.2013

Today's Bible story

August 10, 2013

Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr

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/

-----

+ Saints: St. Lawrence
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=563

-----

Gospel: John 12:24-26

24 Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

25 He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.

26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.

-----

2 Corinthians 9:6-10

6 Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.

9 As it is written,
"He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor.
His righteousness remains forever."☆

10 Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;


☆9:9: Psalm 112:9

-----

* Acts 6:1-6, 8:1, 4-8

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists* against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

2 The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

3 Therefore select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."

5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

6 whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

8:1 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.

4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.

5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.

6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.

7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralysed and lame were healed.

8 There was great joy in that city.

-----

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http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/John.12

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