Genesis 1:1 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
FEBRUARY
28
PSALMS: 28, 58, 88, 118,
148
PROVERBS: 28
OLD
TESTAMENT: 1 SAMUEL 26:1 - 28:25
NEW
TESTAMENT: JOHN 11:1 - 54
PSALMS: 28
Of
David.
1
To
you I call, O LORD my Rock;
do
not turn a deaf ear to me.
For
if you remain silent,
I
will be like those who have gone down to the pit.
2
Hear
my cry for mercy
as
I call to you for help,
as
I lift up my hands
toward
your Most Holy Place.
3
Do
not drag me away with the wicked,
with
those who do evil,
who
speak cordially with their neighbors
but
harbor malice in their hearts.
4
Repay
them for their deeds
and
for their evil work;
repay
them for what their hands have done
and
bring back upon them what they deserve.
5
Since
they show no regard for the works of the LORD
and
what his hands have done,
he
will tear them down
and
never build them up again.
6
Praise
be to the LORD,
for
he has heard my cry for mercy.
7
The
LORD is my strength and my shield;
my
heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My
heart leaps for joy
and
I will give thanks to him in song. [1]
8
The
LORD is the strength of his people,
a
fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9
Save
your people and bless your inheritance;
be
their shepherd and carry them forever. [2]
PSALMS: 58
For
the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.
A
1
Do
you rulers indeed speak justly?
Do
you judge uprightly among men?
2
No,
in your heart you devise injustice,
and
your hands mete out violence on the earth.
3
Even
from birth the wicked go astray;
from
the womb they are wayward and speak lies.
4
Their
venom is like the venom of a snake,
like
that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5
that
will not heed the tune of the charmer,
however
skillful the enchanter may be.
6
Break
the teeth in their mouths, O God;
tear
out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions!
7
Let
them vanish like water that flows away;
when
they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted.
8
Like
a slug melting away as it moves along,
like
a stillborn child, may they not see the sun.
9
Before
your pots can feel the heat of the thorns--
whether
they be green or dry--the wicked will be swept away.
B
10
The
righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when
they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11
Then
men will say,
"Surely
the righteous still are rewarded;
surely
there is a God who judges the earth." [3]
PSALMS: 88
A
song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to
mahalath leannoth. A A maskil B of Heman the
Ezrahite.
1
O
LORD, the God who saves me,
day
and night I cry out before you.
2
May
my prayer come before you;
turn
your ear to my cry.
3
For
my soul is full of trouble
and
my life draws near the grave. C
4
I
am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I
am like a man without strength.
5
I
am set apart with the dead,
like
the slain who lie in the grave,
whom
you remember no more,
who
are cut off from your care.
6
You
have put me in the lowest pit,
in
the darkest depths.
7
Your
wrath lies heavily upon me;
you
have overwhelmed me with all your waves.
Selah
8
You
have taken from me my closest friends
and
have made me repulsive to them.
I
am confined and cannot escape;
9
my
eyes are dim with grief.
I
call to you, O LORD, every day;
I
spread out my hands to you.
10
Do
you show your wonders to the dead? [4]
Do
those who are dead rise up and praise you?
Selah
11Is
your love declared in the grave,
your
faithfulness in Destruction D?
12
Are
your wonders known in the place of darkness,
or
your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?
13
But
I cry to you for help, O LORD;
in
the morning my prayer comes before you.
14
Why,
O LORD, do you reject me
and
hide your face from me?
15
From
my youth I have been afflicted and close to death;
I
have suffered your terrors and am in despair.
16
Your
wrath has swept over me;
your
terrors have destroyed me.
17
All
day long they surround me like a flood;
they
have completely engulfed me.
18
You
have taken my companions and loved ones from me;
the
darkness is my closest friend. [5]
PSALMS: 118
1
Give
thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his
love endures forever.
2
Let
Israel say:
"His love endures forever."
3
Let
the house of Aaron say:
"His love endures forever."
4
Let
those who fear the LORD say:
"His love endures forever."
5
In
my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and
he answered by setting me free.
6
The
LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What
can man do to me?
7
The
LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I
will look in triumph on my enemies.
8
It
is better to take refuge in the LORD
than
to trust in man.
9
It
is better to take refuge in the LORD
than
to trust in princes.
10
All
the nations surrounded me,
but
in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
11
They
surrounded me on every side,
but
in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
12
They
swarmed around me like bees,
but
they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
in
the name of the LORD I cut them off.
13
I
was pushed back and about to fall,
but
the LORD helped me.
14
The
LORD is my strength and my song;
he
has become my salvation. [6]
15
Shouts
of joy and victory
resound
in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty
things!
16
The
LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the
LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"
17
I
will not die but live,
and
will proclaim what the LORD has done.
18
The
LORD has chastened me severely,
but
he has not given me over to death.
19
Open
for me the gates of righteousness;
I
will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20
This
is the gate of the LORD
through
which the righteous may enter.
21
I
will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you
have become my salvation.
22
The
stone the builders rejected
has
become the capstone;
23
the
LORD has done this,
and
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24
This
is the day the LORD has made;
let
us rejoice and be glad in it.
25
O
LORD, save us;
O
LORD, grant us success.
26
Blessed
is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From
the house of the LORD we bless you. A
27
The
LORD is God,
and
he has made his light shine upon us.
With
boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
Up
B to the horns of the altar. [7]
28
You
are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you
are my God, and I will exalt you.
29
Give
thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his
love endures forever. [8]
PSALMS: 148
1
Praise
the LORD. A
Praise
the LORD from the heavens,
praise
him in the heights above.
2
Praise
him, all his angels,
praise
him, all his heavenly hosts.
3
Praise
him, sun and moon,
praise
him, all you shining stars.
4
Praise
him, you highest heavens
and
you waters above the skies.
5
Let
them praise the name of the LORD,
for
he commanded and they were created.
6
He
set them in place for ever and ever;
he
gave a decree that will never pass away.
7
Praise
the LORD from the earth,
you
great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8
lightning
and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy
winds that do his bidding,
9
you
mountains and all hills,
fruit
trees and all cedars,
10
wild
animals and all cattle,
small
creatures and flying birds,
11kings
of the earth and all nations,
you
princes and all rulers on earth,
12
young
men and maidens,
old
men and children.
13
Let
them praise the name of the LORD,
for
his name alone is exalted;
his
splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14
He
has raised up for his people a horn, B
the
praise of all his saints,
of
Israel, the people close to his heart. [9]
Praise
the LORD. [10]
PROVERBS: 28
28
1
The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
but
the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2
When
a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but
a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
3
A
ruler A who oppresses the poor
is
like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4
Those
who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but
those who keep the law resist them.
5
Evil
men do not understand justice,
but
those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6
Better
a poor man whose walk is blameless
than
a rich man whose ways are perverse.
7
He
who keeps the law is a discerning son,
but
a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8
He
who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest
amasses
it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
9
If
anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,
even
his prayers are detestable.
10
He
who leads the upright along an evil path
will
fall into his own trap,
but
the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
11
A
rich man may be wise in his own eyes,
but
a poor man who has discernment sees through him. [11]
12
When
the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
but
when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.
13
He
who conceals his sins does not prosper,
but
whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14
Blessed
is the man who always fears the LORD,
but
he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15
Like
a roaring lion or a charging bear
is
a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.
16
A
tyrannical ruler lacks judgment,
but
he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life.
17
A
man tormented by the guilt of murder
will
be a fugitive till death;
let
no one support him.
18
He
whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
but
he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.
19
He
who works his land will have abundant food,
but
the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of
poverty.
20
A
faithful man will be richly blessed,
but
one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21
To
show partiality is not good--
yet
a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22
A
stingy man is eager to get rich
and
is unaware that poverty awaits him. [12]
23
He
who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor
than
he who has a flattering tongue.
24
He
who robs his father or mother
and
says, "It's not wrong"--
he
is partner to him who destroys.
25
A
greedy man stirs up dissension,
but
he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26
He
who trusts in himself is a fool,
but
he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27
He
who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but
he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
28
When
the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
but
when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive. [13]
OLD
TESTAMENT: 1 SAMUEL 26:1 - 28:25
26
1
The
Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding on the hill of
Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?"
2
So
Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand chosen men of
Israel, to search there for David. 3 Saul made his camp beside the
road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the desert.
When he saw that Saul had followed him there,
4 he sent out scouts
and learned that Saul had definitely arrived. A
5
Then
David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and
Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying
inside the camp, with the army encamped around him.
6
David
then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother,
"Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?"
"I'll
go with you," said Abishai.
7
So
David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep
inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the
soldiers were lying around him.
8
Abishai
said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me
pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice."
9
But
David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's
anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the LORD lives," he said,
"the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or
he will go into battle and perish.
11 But the LORD forbid that I
should lay a hand on the LORD's [14]
anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go."
12
So
David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw
or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the
LORD had put them into a deep sleep.
13
Then
David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance
away; there was a wide space between them. 14 He called out to the
army and to Abner son of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?"
Abner
replied, "Who are you who calls to the king?"
15
David
said, "You're a man, aren't you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn't you
guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. 16
What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you and your
men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed.
Look around you. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his
head?"
17
Saul
recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?"
David
replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king." 18 And he added, "Why is my
lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?
19
Now
let my lord the king listen to his servant's words. If the LORD has incited you
against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, men have done it, may
they be cursed before the LORD! They have now driven me from my share in [15]
the LORD's inheritance and have said, `Go, serve other gods.' 20 Now
do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The
king of Israel has come out to look for a flea--as one hunts a partridge in the
mountains."
21
Then
Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my
life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like
a fool and have erred greatly."
22
"Here
is the king's spear," David answered. "Let one of your young men come over and
get it. 23 The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and
faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a
hand on the LORD's anointed. 24 As surely as I valued your life
today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble."
25
Then
Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things
and surely triumph."
So
David went on his way, and Saul returned home.
27
1
But
David thought to himself, "One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of
Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then
Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of
his hand."
2
So
David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maoch
king of Gath. 3 David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each
man had his family with him, and David [16]
had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal.
4 When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer
searched for him.
5
Then
David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be
assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should
your servant live in the royal city with you?"
6
So
on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah
ever since. 7 David lived in Philistine territory a year and four
months.
8
Now
David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the
Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to
Shur and Egypt.) 9 Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave
a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and
clothes. Then he returned to Achish.
10
When
Achish asked, "Where did you go raiding today?" David would say, "Against the
Negev of Judah" or "Against the Negev of Jerahmeel" or "Against the Negev of the
Kenites." 11 He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to
Gath, for he thought, "They might inform on us and say, `This is what David
did.' "And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory.
12
Achish
trusted David and said to himself, "He has become so odious to his people, the
Israelites, that he will be my servant forever." [17]
28
1
In
those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish
said to David, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in
the army."
2
David
said, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do."
Achish
replied, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life."
3
Now
Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own
town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.
4
The
Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered
all the Israelites and set up camp at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the
Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 6 He
inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or
prophets. 7 Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is
a medium, so I may go and inquire of her."
"There
is one in Endor," they said.
8
So
Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men
went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the
one I name."
9
But
the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the
mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to
bring about my death?"
10
Saul
swore to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, [18]
you will not be punished for this."
11
Then
the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?"
"Bring
up Samuel," he said.
12
When
the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul,
"Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!"
13
The
king said to her, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?"
The
woman said, "I see a spirit A coming up out of the ground."
14
"What
does he look like?" he asked.
"An
old man wearing a robe is coming up," she said.
Then
Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face
to the ground.
15
Samuel
said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?"
"I
am in great distress," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me, and
God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by
dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do."
16
Samuel
said, "Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and
become your enemy? 17 The LORD has done what he predicted through me.
The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your
neighbors--to David.
18
Because
you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites,
the LORD has done this to you today. 19 The [19]
LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and
your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand over the army of Israel to
the Philistines."
20
Immediately
Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words.
His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and night.
21
When
the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, "Look, your
maidservant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me
to do.
22 Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some
food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way."
23
He
refused and said, "I will not eat."
But
his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from
the ground and sat on the couch.
24
The
woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took
some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. 25 Then she set
it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.
[20]
NEW
TESTAMENT: JOHN 11:1 - 54
11
1
Now
a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her
sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was
the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.
3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is
sick."
4
When
he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end
in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through
it." 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6
Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more
days.
7
Then
he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to
Judea."
8
"But
Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you
are going back there?"
9
Jesus
answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A
man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light.
10 It is when he walks by night that
he stumbles, for he has no light."
11
After
he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend
Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
12
His
disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13 Jesus
had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural
sleep.
14
So
then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead,
15 and for your sake I am glad I was
not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16
Then
Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that
we may die with him." [21]
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the
tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two milesA
from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to
comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that
Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21
"Lord,"
Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23
Jesus
said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24
Martha
answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25
Jesus
said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He
who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you
believe this?"
27
"Yes,
Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, B the Son of
God, who was to come into the world."
28
And
after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The
Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29 When Mary
heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not
yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.
31
When
the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how
quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to
the [22]
tomb to mourn there.
32
When
Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and
said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33
When
Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he
was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 "Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come
and see, Lord," they replied.
35
Jesus
wept.
36
Then
the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
37
But
some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept
this man from dying?"
38
Jesus,
once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across
the entrance. 39 "Take away the
stone," he said.
"But,
Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad
odor, for he has been there four days."
40
Then
Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed,
you would see the glory of God?"
41
So
they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
42 I knew that you always hear me,
but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may
believe that you sent me."
43
When
he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came
out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his
face. [23]
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and
let him go."
45
Therefore
many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put
their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and
told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the
Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
"What
are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous
signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in
him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place C and
our nation."
49
Then
one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know
nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that
one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."
51
He
did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that
Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that
nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and
make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
54
Therefore
Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a
region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his
disciples. [24]
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John 3:16-21 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, F that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.G 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." H
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