Genesis 1:1 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
PSALMS:
14, 44, 74, 104, 144
PROVERBS:
14
OLD
TESTAMENT:
ECCLESIASTES 4:1 – 6:12
NEW
TESTAMENT:
2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 – 7:7
PSALMS:
14
For
the director of music. Of David.
1
The
fool
A
says in his heart,
"There
is no God."
They
are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there
is no one who does good.
2
The
LORD looks down from heaven
on
the sons of men
to
see if there are any who understand,
any
who seek God.
3
All
have turned aside,
they
have together become corrupt;
there
is no one who does good,
not
even one.
4
Will
evildoers never learn--
those
who devour my people as men eat bread
and
who do not call on the LORD?
5
There
they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for
God is present in the company of the righteous.
6
You
evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but
the LORD is their refuge.
7
Oh,
that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When
the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let
Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! 1
PSALMS:
44
For
the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.
A
1
We
have heard with our ears, O God;
our
fathers have told us
what
you did in their days,
in
days long ago.
2
With
your hand you drove out the nations
and
planted our fathers;
you
crushed the peoples
and
made our fathers flourish.
3
It
was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor
did their arm bring them victory;
it
was your right hand, your arm,
and
the light of your face, for you loved them.
4
You
are my King and my God,
who
decrees B
victories for Jacob.
5
Through
you we push back our enemies;
through
your name we trample our foes.
6
I
do not trust in my bow,
my
sword does not bring me victory;
7
but
you give us victory over our enemies,
you
put our adversaries to shame.
8
In
God we make our boast all day long,
and
we will praise your name forever.
Selah
9
But
now you have rejected and humbled us;
you
no longer go out with our armies.
10
You
made us retreat before the enemy,
and
our adversaries have plundered us. 2
11
You
gave us up to be devoured like sheep
and
have scattered us among the nations.
12
You
sold your people for a pittance,
gaining
nothing from their sale.
13
You
have made us a reproach to our neighbors,
the
scorn and derision of those around us.
14
You
have made us a byword among the nations;
the
peoples shake their heads at us.
15
My
disgrace is before me all day long,
and
my face is covered with shame
16
at
the taunts of those who reproach and revile me,
because
of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.
17
All
this happened to us,
though
we had not forgotten you
or
been false to your covenant.
18
Our
hearts had not turned back;
our
feet had not strayed from your path.
19
But
you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals
and
covered us over with deep darkness.
20
If
we had forgotten the name of our God
or
spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21
would
not God have discovered it,
since
he knows the secrets of the heart?
22
Yet
for your sake we face death all day long;
we
are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
23
Awake,
O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Rouse
yourself! Do not reject us forever. 3
24
Why
do you hide your face
and
forget our misery and oppression?
25
We
are brought down to the dust;
our
bodies cling to the ground.
26
Rise
up and help us;
redeem
us because of your unfailing love. 4
PSALMS:
74
A
maskil
A
of Asaph.
1
Why
have you rejected us forever, O God?
Why
does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
2
Remember
the people you purchased of old,
the
tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed--
Mount
Zion, where you dwelt.
3
Turn
your steps toward these everlasting ruins,
all
this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
4
Your
foes roared in the place where you met with us;
they
set up their standards as signs.
5
They
behaved like men wielding axes
to
cut through a thicket of trees.
6
They
smashed all the carved paneling
with
their axes and hatchets.
7
They
burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they
defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
8
They
said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!"
They
burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9
We
are given no miraculous signs;
no
prophets are left,
and
none of us knows how long this will be.
10
How
long will the enemy mock you, O God?
Will
the foe revile your name forever?
11
Why
do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take
it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
12
But
you, O God, are my king from of old;
you
bring salvation upon the earth. 5
13
It
was you who split open the sea by your power;
you
broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
14
It
was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and
gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.
15
It
was you who opened up springs and streams;
you
dried up the ever flowing rivers.
16
The
day is yours, and yours also the night;
you
established the sun and moon.
17
It
was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you
made both summer and winter.
18
Remember
how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD,
how
foolish people have reviled your name.
19
Do
not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts;
do
not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.
20
Have
regard for your covenant,
because
haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
21
Do
not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace;
may
the poor and needy praise your name.
22
Rise
up, O God, and defend your cause;
remember
how fools mock you all day long.
23
Do
not ignore the clamor of your adversaries,
the
uproar of your enemies, which rises continually. 6
PSALMS:
104
1
Praise
the LORD, O my soul.
O
LORD my God, you are very great;
you
are clothed with splendor and majesty.
2
He
wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he
stretches out the heavens like a tent
3
and
lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He
makes the clouds his chariot
and
rides on the wings of the wind.
4
He
makes winds his messengers, A
flames
of fire his servants.
5
He
set the earth on its foundations;
it
can never be moved.
6
You
covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the
waters stood above the mountains.
7
But
at your rebuke the waters fled,
at
the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
8
they
flowed over the mountains,
they
went down into the valleys,
to
the place you assigned for them.
9
You
set a boundary they cannot cross;
never
again will they cover the earth.
10
He
makes springs pour water into the ravines;
it
flows between the mountains.
11
They
give water to all the beasts of the field;
the
wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12
The
birds of the air nest by the waters;
they
sing among the branches.
13
He
waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the
earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14
He
makes grass grow for the cattle,
and
plants for man to cultivate--
bringing
forth food from the earth: 7
15
wine
that gladdens the heart of man,
oil
to make his face shine,
and
bread that sustains his heart.
16
The
trees of the LORD are well watered,
the
cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17
There
the birds make their nests;
the
stork has its home in the pine trees.
18
The
high mountains belong to the wild goats;
the
crags are a refuge for the coneys. B
19
The
moon marks off the seasons,
and
the sun knows when to go down.
20
You
bring darkness, it becomes night,
and
all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21
The
lions roar for their prey
and
seek their food from God.
22
The
sun rises, and they steal away;
they
return and lie down in their dens.
23
Then
man goes out to his work,
to
his labor until evening.
24
How
many are your works, O LORD!
In
wisdom you made them all;
the
earth is full of your creatures.
25
There
is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming
with creatures beyond number--
living
things both large and small.
26
There
the ships go to and fro,
and
the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. 8
27
These
all look to you
to
give them their food at the proper time.
28
When
you give it to them,
they
gather it up;
when
you open your hand,
they
are satisfied with good things.
29
When
you hide your face,
they
are terrified;
when
you take away their breath,
they
die and return to the dust.
30
When
you send your Spirit,
they
are created,
and
you renew the face of the earth.
31
May
the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may
the LORD rejoice in his works--
32
he
who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
who
touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33
I
will sing to the LORD all my life;
I
will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34May
my meditation be pleasing to him,
as
I rejoice in the LORD.
35
But
may sinners vanish from the earth
and
the wicked be no more.
Praise
the LORD, O my soul.
PSALMS:
134
A
song of ascents.
1
Praise
the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who
minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2
Lift
up your hands in the sanctuary
and
praise the LORD.
3
May
the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless
you from Zion. 10
PROVERBS:
14
14
1
The wise woman builds her house,
but
with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2
He
whose walk is upright fears the LORD,
but
he whose ways are devious despises him.
3
A
fool's talk brings a rod to his back,
but
the lips of the wise protect them.
4
Where
there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but
from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
5
A
truthful witness does not deceive,
but
a false witness pours out lies.
6
The
mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but
knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
7
Stay
away from a foolish man,
for
you will not find knowledge on his lips.
8
The
wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but
the folly of fools is deception.
9
Fools
mock at making amends for sin,
but
goodwill is found among the upright.
10
Each
heart knows its own bitterness,
and
no one else can share its joy.
11
The
house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but
the tent of the upright will flourish. 11
12
There
is a way that seems right to a man,
but
in the end it leads to death.
13
Even
in laughter the heart may ache,
and
joy may end in grief.
14
The
faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and
the good man rewarded for his.
15
A
simple man believes anything,
but
a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
16
A
wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,
but
a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
17
A
quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and
a crafty man is hated.
18
The
simple inherit folly,
but
the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19
Evil
men will bow down in the presence of the good,
and
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20
The
poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but
the rich have many friends.
21
He
who despises his neighbor sins,
but
blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
22
Do
not those who plot evil go astray?
23
All
hard work brings a profit,
but
mere talk leads only to poverty.
24
The
wealth of the wise is their crown,
but
the folly of fools yields folly.
25
A
truthful witness saves lives,
but
a false witness is deceitful.
26
He
who fears the LORD has a secure fortress,
and
for his children it will be a refuge.
27
The
fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
turning
a man from the snares of death.
28
A
large population is a king's glory,
but
without subjects a prince is ruined.
29
A
patient man has great understanding,
but
a quick-tempered man displays folly.
30
A
heart at peace gives life to the body,
but
envy rots the bones.
31
He
who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but
whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32
When
calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but
even in death the righteous have a refuge.
33
Wisdom
reposes in the heart of the discerning
34
Righteousness
exalts a nation,
but
sin is a disgrace to any people.
35
A
king delights in a wise servant,
but
a shameful servant incurs his wrath. 14
OLD
TESTAMENT:
ECCLESIASTES 4:1 – 6:16
4
1
Again
I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the
sun:
I
saw the tears of the oppressed--
and
they have no comforter;
power
was on the side of their oppressors--
and
they have no comforter.
2
And
I declared that the dead,
who
had already died,
are
happier than the living,
who
are still alive.
3
But
better than both
is
he who has not yet been,
who
has not seen the evil
that
is done under the sun.
4
And
I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of
his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
5
The
fool folds his hands
and
ruins himself.
6
Better
one handful with tranquillity
than
two handfuls with toil
and
chasing after the wind.
8
There
was a man all alone;
he
had neither son nor brother.
There
was no end to his toil,
yet
his eyes were not content with his wealth.
"For
whom am I toiling," he asked,
"and
why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?"
This
too is meaningless--
a
miserable business!
9
Two
are better than one,
because
they have a good return for their work:
10
If
one falls down,
his
friend can help him up.
But
pity the man who falls
and
has no one to help him up!
11
Also,
if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But
how can one keep warm alone?
12
Though
one may be overpowered,
two
can defend themselves.
A
cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
13
Better
a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer
knows how to take warning. 14
The
youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been
born in poverty within his kingdom. 15
I
saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth,
the king's successor. 16
There
was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came
later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a
chasing after the wind.
5
1
Guard
your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather
than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do
wrong.
2
Do
not be quick with your mouth,
do
not be hasty in your heart
to
utter anything before God.
God
is in heaven
and
you are on earth,
so
let your words be few.
3
As
a dream comes when there are many cares,
so
the speech of a fool when there are many words.
4
When
you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no
pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5
It
is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6
Do
not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the
temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be
angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7
Much
dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of
God.
8
If
you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights
denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is 16
17
eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9
The
increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from
the fields.
10
Whoever
loves money never has money enough;
whoever
loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This
too is meaningless.
11
As
goods increase,
so
do those who consume them.
And
what benefit are they to the owner
except
to feast his eyes on them?
12
The
sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether
he eats little or much,
but
the abundance of a rich man
permits
him no sleep.
13
I
have seen a grievous evil under the sun:
wealth
hoarded to the harm of its owner,
14
or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so
that when he has a son
there
is nothing left for him.
and
as he comes, so he departs.
He
takes nothing from his labor
that
he can carry in his hand.
16
This
too is a grievous evil:
As
a man comes, so he departs,
and
what does he gain,
since
he toils for the wind?
17
All
his days he eats in darkness,
with
great frustration, affliction and anger.
18
Then
I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and
to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the
few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot. 19
Moreover,
when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to
enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a
gift of God. 20
He
seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him
occupied with gladness of heart.
6
1
I
have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2
God
gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing
his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a
stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.
3
A
man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter
how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not
receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off
than he. 4
It
comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its
name is shrouded. 5
Though
it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does
that man—6
even
if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his
prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
7
All
man's efforts are for his mouth,
yet
his appetite is never satisfied.
8
What
advantage has a wise man
over
a fool?
What
does a poor man gain
by
knowing how to conduct himself before others?
9
Better
what the eye sees
than
the roving of the appetite.
This
too is meaningless,
a
chasing after the wind.
10
Whatever
exists has already been named,
and
what man is has been known;
no
man can contend
with
one who is stronger than he.
11
The
more the words,
the
less the meaning,
12
For
who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and
meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him
what will happen under the sun after he is gone? 21
NEW
TESTAMENT:
2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 – 7:7
14
Do
not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and
wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with
darkness?
15
What
harmony is there between Christ and Belial B?
What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16
What
agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are
the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I
will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and
they will be my people."
C
17
"Therefore
come out from them
and
be separate,
says
the Lord.
Touch
no unclean thing,
and
I will receive you."
D
18
"I
will be a Father to you,
and
you will be my sons and daughters,
says
the Lord Almighty."
E
7
1
Since
we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from
everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out
of reverence for God.
2
Make
room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted
no one, we have exploited no one. 3
I
do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such
a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4
I
have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly
encouraged; in all our 22
troubles my joy knows no bounds.
5
For
when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we
were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within.
6
But
God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
7
and
not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He
told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent
concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. 23
1
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
2
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
3
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
4
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
5
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
6
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
7
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
8
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
9
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
10
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
11
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
12
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
13
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
14
Excerpted from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
15 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
16 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
17 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
18 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
19 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
20 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
21 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
22 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
23 Excerpted
from Compton's
Interactive Bible NIV.
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996 SoftKey Multimedia Inc. All Rights
Reserved
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
No comments:
Post a Comment