Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. [2] He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; [3] a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. [4] He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. [5] Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: [6] I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, [7] to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. [8] I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. [9] See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
1 Ascribe to the | LORD, you gods,*
ascribe to the LORD glo- | ry and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory | due his name;*
worship the LORD in the beau- | ty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of | glory thunders;*
the LORD is upon the | mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is a pow- | erful voice;*
the voice of the LORD is a | voice of splendor.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the | cedar trees;*
the LORD breaks the ce- | dars of Lebanon;
6 he makes Lebanon skip | like a calf,*
and Mount Hermon like a | young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD | shakes the wilderness;*
the LORD shakes the wilder- | ness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the LORD makes the | oak trees writhe*
and strips the | forests bare.
9 And in the temple | of the LORD*
all are | crying, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned a- | bove the flood;*
the LORD sits enthroned as | king forevermore.
11 The LORD shall give strength | to his people;*
the LORD shall give his people the bless- | ing of peace.
Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. [36] You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. [37] That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; [40] but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, [41] not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. [14] John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" [15] But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. [16] And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. [2] He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. [3] And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." [4] But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the LORD, and my reward with my God." [5] And now the LORD says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God has become my strength-- [6] he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." [7] Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, "Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."
1 I waited patiently up- | on the LORD;*
he stooped to me and | heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the | mire and clay;*
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my | footing sure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise | to our God;*
many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust | in the LORD.
4 Happy are they who trust | in the LORD!*
They do not resort to evil spirits or turn | to false gods.
5 Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!
How great your wonders and your | plans for us!*
There is none who can be com- | pared with you.
6 Oh, that I could make them | known and tell them!*
But they are more than | I can count.
7 In sacrifice and offering you | take no pleasure;*
you have given me | ears to hear you;
8 burnt-offering and sin-offering you have | not required,*
and so I said, "Be- | hold, I come.
9 In the roll of the book it is written con- | cerning me:*
'I love to do your will, O my God; your law is deep | in my heart.'"
10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great | congregation;*
behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O | LORD, you know.
11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and | your deliverance;*
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great | congregation.
12 You are the LORD; do not withhold your com- | passion from me;*
let your love and your faithfulness keep me | safe forever
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, [2] To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: [3] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [4] I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, [5] for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- [6] just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- [7] so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. [8] He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' [31] I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." [32] And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. [33] I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' [34] And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." [35] The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" [37] The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [38] When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" [39] He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. [40] One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. [41] He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). [42] He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. [2] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. [3] You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. [4] For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then | shall I fear?*
The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I | be afraid?
5 One thing have I asked of the LORD; one | thing I seek;*
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days | of my life;
6 to behold the fair beauty | of the LORD*
and to seek him | in his temple.
7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe | in his shelter;*
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high up- | on a rock.
8 Even now he lifts | up my head*
above my enemies | round about me.
9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds | of great gladness;*
I will sing and make music | to the LORD.
10 Hearken to my voice, O LORD, | when I call;*
have mercy on me and | answer me.
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. [11] For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. [12] What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." [13] Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
[14] I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, [15] so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. [16] (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) [17] For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. [18] For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. [13] He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, [14] so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: [15] "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- [16] the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." [17] From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
[18] As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. [19] And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." [20] Immediately they left their nets and followed him. [21] As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. [22] Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. [23] Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. [2] Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. [3] "O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! [4] For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
[5] O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD." [6] "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? [7] Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" [8] He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
1 LORD, who may dwell in your | tabernacle?*
Who may abide upon your | holy hill?
2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does | what is right,*
who speaks the truth | from his heart,
3 there is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil | to his friend;*
he does not heap contempt up- | on his neighbor.
4 In his sight the wicked | is rejected,*
but he honors those who | fear the LORD.
5 He has sworn to | do no wrong*
and does not take | back his word.
6 He does not give his money in | hope of gain,*
nor does he take a bribe a- | gainst the innocent.
7 Whoever | does these things*
shall never be | overthrown.
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." [20] Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? [21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.
[22] For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, [23] but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, [24] but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.
[26] Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, [29] so that no one might boast in the presence of God. [30] He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, [31] in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. [2] Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
[3] "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [5] "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. [6] "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. [7] "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. [8] "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. [9] "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. [10] "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. [2] Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. [3] "Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. [4] Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. [5] Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? [6] Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? [8] Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. [9a] Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
[9b] If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, [10] if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. [11] The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. [12] Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.
1 Hallelujah! Happy are they who | fear the LORD*
and have great delight in | his commandments!
2 Their descendants will be mighty | in the land;*
the generation of the upright | will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches will be | in their house,*
and their righteousness will | last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness | for the upright;*
the righteous are merciful and full | of compassion.
5 It is good for them to be gener- | ous in lending*
and to manage their af- | fairs with justice.
6 For they will nev- | er be shaken;*
the righteous will be kept in everlast- | ing remembrance.
7 They will not be afraid of any | evil rumors;*
their heart is right; they put their trust | in the LORD.
8 Their heart is established and | will not shrink,*
until they see their desire up- | on their enemies.
9 They have given freely | to the poor,*
and their righteousness stands fast forever;
they will hold up their | head with honor.
10 The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and | pine away;*
the desires of the wick- | ed will perish.
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. [3] And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. [4] My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. [6] Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. [7] But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. [8] None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. [11] For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
[13] And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. [14] Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. [15] Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. [16] "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Jesus taught, saying, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. [14] "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. [15] No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. [17] "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. [18] For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. [19] Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [20] For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. [16] If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. [17] But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, [18] I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. [19] I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, [20] loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
1 Happy are they whose | way is blameless,*
who walk in the law | of the LORD!
2 Happy are they who observe | his decrees*
and seek him with | all their hearts!
3 Who never do | any wrong,*
but always walk | in his ways.
4 You laid down | your commandments,*
that we should | fully keep them.
5 Oh, that my ways were made | so direct*
that I might | keep your statutes!
6 Then I should not be | put to shame,*
when I regard all | your commandments.
7 I will thank you with an | unfeigned heart,*
when I have learned your | righteous judgments.
8 I will | keep your statutes;*
do not utter- | ly forsake me.
And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. [2] I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, [3] for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? [4] For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human? [5] What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. [6] I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. [7] So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. [8] The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. [9] For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.
Jesus taught, saying, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' [22] But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. [23] So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. [25] Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. [26] Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. [27] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. [31] "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' [32] But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. [33] "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' [34] But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, [35] or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. [37] Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: [2] Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.
[9] When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. [10] You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God. [11] You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. [12] And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD. [13] You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. [14] You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. [15] You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. [16] You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD. [17] You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. [18] You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way | of your statutes,*
and I shall keep it | to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall | keep your law;*
I shall keep it with | all my heart.
35 Make me go in the path of | your commandments,*
for that is | my desire.
36 Incline my heart to | your decrees*
and not to | unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes from watching | what is worthless;*
give me life | in your ways.
38 Fulfill your promise | to your servant,*
which you make to | those who fear you.
39 Turn away the reproach | which I dread,*
because your judg- | ments are good.
40 Behold, I long for | your commandments;*
in your righteousness pre- | serve my life.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
[16] Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? [17] If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. [18] Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," [20] and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." [21] So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, [22] whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all belong to you, [23] and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Jesus taught, saying, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' [39] But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; [40] and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; [41] and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. [42] Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. [43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; [9] saying to the prisoners, "Come out," to those who are in darkness, "Show yourselves." They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture; [10] they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. [11] And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up. [12] Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene. [13] Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. [14] But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me." [15] Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. [16a] See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.
1 O LORD, I | am not proud;*
I have no | haughty looks.
2 I do not occupy myself | with great matters,*
or with things that are too | hard for me.
3 But I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its | mother's breast;*
my soul is quiet- | ed within me.
4 O Israel, wait up- | on the LORD,*
from this time forth for- | evermore.
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. [2] Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. [3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. [4] I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. [5] Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.
Jesus taught, saying, "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. [25] "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? [28] And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? [31] Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' [32] For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.
The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction." [13] So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. [14] To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them."
[15] Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. [16] The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. [17] Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. [18] Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.
1 Why are the nations | in an uproar?*
Why do the peoples mutter | empty threats?
2 Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt, and the princes | plot together,*
against the LORD and against | his anointed?
3 "Let us break their | yoke," they say;*
"let us cast off their | bonds from us."
4 He whose throne is in heav- | en is laughing;*
the Lord has them | in derision.
5 Then he speaks to them | in his wrath,*
and his rage fills | them with terror.
6 "I myself have | set my king*
upon my holy | hill of Zion."
7 Let me announce the decree | of the LORD:*
He said to me, "You are my son; this day have I be- | gotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for | your inheritance*
and the ends of the earth for | your possession.
9 You shall crush them with an | iron rod*
and shatter them like a | piece of pottery."
10 And now, you | kings, be wise;*
be warned, you rulers | of the earth.
11 Submit to the | LORD with fear,*
and with trembling | bow before him;
12 lest he be angry, | and you perish;*
for his wrath is | quickly kindled.
13 Happy | are they all*
who take ref- | uge in him!
1 The LORD is King; let the | people tremble.*
He is enthroned upon the cherubim; let | the earth shake.
2 The LORD is | great in Zion;*
he is high | above all peoples.
3 Let them confess his name, which is | great and awesome;*
he is the | Holy One.
4 "O mighty King, lover of justice, you have | established equity;*
you have executed justice and righteous- | ness in Jacob."
5 Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God and fall down be- | fore his footstool;*
he is the | Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call up- | on his name,*
they called upon the LORD, and he | answered them.
7 He spoke to them out of the pil- | lar of cloud;*
they kept his testimonies and the decree | that he gave them.
8 O LORD our God, you answered | them indeed;*
you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their | evil deeds.
9 Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God and worship him upon his | holy hill;*
for the LORD our God is the | Holy One.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." [18] We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. [19] So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
[20] First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, [21] because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. [2] And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. [3] Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. [4] Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." [5] While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
[6] When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. [7] But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." [8] And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. [9] As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."