Daily Readings

[29] Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. [30] And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” [31] Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” [32] So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” [34] So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him. [1] Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, [2] saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. [3] And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” [4] All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: [5] “Tellthe daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” [6] So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. [7] They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. [8] And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [9] Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” [10] And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” [11] So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” [12] Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. [13] And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” [14] Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. [15] But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant [16] and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’ ?” [17] Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.

[16] Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, That its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits.

[36] O Jerusalem, look about thee toward the east, and behold the joy that cometh unto thee from God. [37] Lo, thy sons come, whom thou sentest away, they come gathered together from the east to the west by the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God. [1] Put off, O Jerusalem, the garment of thy mourning and affliction, and put on the comeliness of the glory that cometh from God for ever. [2] Cast about thee a double garment of the righteousness which cometh from God; and set a diadem on thine head of the glory of the Everlasting. [3] For God will show thy brightness unto every country under heaven. [4] For thy name shall be called of God for ever The peace of righteousness, and The glory of God's worship.

[12] The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, [13] took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” [14] Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: [15] “Fearnot, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.” [16] His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. [17] Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. [18] For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. [19] The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!” [20] Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. [21] Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” [22] Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. [23] But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.

[46] Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. [47] And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” [48] Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” [49] So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” [50] And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. [51] So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” [52] Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. [1] Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; [2] and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. [3] And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” [4] So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. [5] But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” [6] And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. [7] Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. [8] And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [9] Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ [10] Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” [11] And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, [8] whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, [9] receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

[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] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, [5] having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, [6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. [7] In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace [8] which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, [9] having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, [10] that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

[27] For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. [28] For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. [29] “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30] Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. [32] “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. [33] So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! [34] Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. [35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

[29] And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, [30] saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. [31] And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it? ’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ” [32] So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. [33] But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” [34] And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” [35] Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. [36] And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. [37] Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, [38] saying: “ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” [39] And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” [40] But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” [41] Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, [42] saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. [43] For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, [44] and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” [45] Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, [46] saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” [47] And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, [48] and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

[31] Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. [32] For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. [33] They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” [34] But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken. [35] Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. [36] And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. [37] So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. [38] And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” [39] Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” [40] So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, [41] saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” [42] Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” [43] And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. [1] Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. [3] And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. [4] So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” [6] So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. [7] But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” [8] Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” [9] And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; [10] for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [11] Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. [12] Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. [13] So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ [14] But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ [15] “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. [16] Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ [17] And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ [18] And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ [19] Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’ [20] “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. [21] For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ [22] And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. [23] Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ [24] “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ [25] (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) [26] ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. [27] But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ” [28] When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

[8] The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills. [9] My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, Gazing through the lattice. [10] My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. [11] For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. [12] The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. [13] The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away! [14] “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely.” Her Brothers [15] Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes. The Shulamite [16] My beloved is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies. (To Her Beloved) [17] Until the day breaks And the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, And be like a gazelle Or a young stag Upon the mountains of Bether. The Shulamite [1] By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. [2] “I will rise now,” I said, “And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.” I sought him, but I did not find him. [3] The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the one I love?” [4] Scarcely had I passed by them, When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go, Until I had brought him to the house of my mother, And into the chamber of her who conceived me. [5] I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the does of the field, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases. The Shulamite [6] Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the merchant’s fragrant powders? [7] Behold, it is Solomon’s couch, With sixty valiant men around it, Of the valiant of Israel. [8] They all hold swords, Being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh Because of fear in the night. [9] Of the wood of Lebanon Solomon the King Made himself a palanquin: [10] He made its pillars of silver, Its support of gold, Its seat of purple, Its interior paved with love By the daughters of Jerusalem. [11] Go forth, O daughters of Zion, And see King Solomon with the crown With which his mother crowned him On the day of his wedding, The day of the gladness of his heart. The Beloved [1] Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, Going down from Mount Gilead. [2] Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep Which have come up from the washing, Every one of which bears twins, And none is barren among them. [3] Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil Are like a piece of pomegranate. [4] Your neck is like the tower of David, Built for an armory, On which hang a thousand bucklers, All shields of mighty men. [5] Your two breasts are like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle, Which feed among the lilies. [6] Until the day breaks And the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense. [7] You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you. [8] Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, With me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, From the top of Senir and Hermon, From the lions’ dens, From the mountains of the leopards. [9] You have ravished my heart, My sister, my spouse; You have ravished my heart With one look of your eyes, With one link of your necklace. [10] How fair is your love, My sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, And the scent of your perfumes Than all spices! [11] Your lips, O my spouse, Drip as the honeycomb; Honey and milk are under your tongue; And the fragrance of your garments Is like the fragrance of Lebanon. [12] A garden enclosed Is my sister, my spouse, A spring shut up, A fountain sealed. [13] Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates With pleasant fruits, Fragrant henna with spikenard, [14] Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, With all trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, With all the chief spices— [15] A fountain of gardens, A well of living waters, And streams from Lebanon. The Shulamite [16] Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, That its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits. The Beloved [1] I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. (To His Friends) Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones! The Shulamite [2] I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, “Open for me, my sister, my love, My dove, my perfect one; For my head is covered with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.” [3] I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; How can I defile them? [4] My beloved put his hand By the latch of the door, And my heart yearned for him. [5] I arose to open for my beloved, And my hands dripped with myrrh, My fingers with liquid myrrh, On the handles of the lock. [6] I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. [7] The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls Took my veil away from me. [8] I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, That you tell him I am lovesick! The Daughters of Jerusalem [9] What is your beloved More than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved More than another beloved, That you so charge us? The Shulamite [10] My beloved is white and ruddy, Chief among ten thousand. [11] His head is like the finest gold; His locks are wavy, And black as a raven. [12] His eyes are like doves By the rivers of waters, Washed with milk, And fitly set. [13] His cheeks are like a bed of spices, Banks of scented herbs. His lips are lilies, Dripping liquid myrrh. [14] His hands are rods of gold Set with beryl. His body is carved ivory Inlaid with sapphires. [15] His legs are pillars of marble Set on bases of fine gold. His countenance is like Lebanon, Excellent as the cedars. [16] His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem! The Daughters of Jerusalem [1] Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside, That we may seek him with you? The Shulamite [2] My beloved has gone to his garden, To the beds of spices, To feed his flock in the gardens, And to gather lilies. [3] I am my beloved’s, And my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies. The Beloved [4] O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, Lovely as Jerusalem, Awesome as an army with banners! [5] Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats Going down from Gilead. [6] Your teeth are like a flock of sheep Which have come up from the washing; Every one bears twins, And none is barren among them. [7] Like a piece of pomegranate Are your temples behind your veil. [8] There are sixty queens And eighty concubines, And virgins without number. [9] My dove, my perfect one, Is the only one, The only one of her mother, The favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her And called her blessed, The queens and the concubines, And they praised her. [10] Who is she who looks forth as the morning, Fair as the moon, Clear as the sun, Awesome as an army with banners? The Shulamite [11] I went down to the garden of nuts To see the verdure of the valley, To see whether the vine had budded And the pomegranates had bloomed. [12] Before I was even aware, My soul had made me As the chariots of my noble people. The Beloved and His Friends

[9] My dove, my perfect one, Is the only one, The only one of her mother, The favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her And called her blessed, The queens and the concubines, And they praised her. [10] Who is she who looks forth as the morning, Fair as the moon, Clear as the sun, Awesome as an army with banners? The Shulamite [11] I went down to the garden of nuts To see the verdure of the valley, To see whether the vine had budded And the pomegranates had bloomed.

[11] Indeed the Lord has proclaimed To the end of the world: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.’ ” [12] And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

[1] Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. [2] It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. [3] Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” [4] When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” [5] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. [6] So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. [7] Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” [8] The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” [9] Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. [10] But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” [11] These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” [12] Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” [13] However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. [14] Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. [15] And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” [16] Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” [17] So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. [18] Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. [19] And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. [20] Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. [21] Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” [23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” [24] Martha said to Him, “I know that 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, though he may die, he shall live. [26] And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” [27] She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” [28] And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” [29] As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. [30] Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. [31] Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” [32] Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” [33] Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. [34] And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” [35] Jesus wept. [36] Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” [37] And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” [38] Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. [39] Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” [40] Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” [41] Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. [42] And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” [43] Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” [44] And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” [45] Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. [46] But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.

[9] “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. [10] I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim And the horse from Jerusalem; The battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.’ [11] “As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. [12] Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you. [13] For I have bent Judah, My bow, Fitted the bow with Ephraim, And raised up your sons, O Zion, Against your sons, O Greece, And made you like the sword of a mighty man.” [14] Then the Lord will be seen over them, And His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord God will blow the trumpet, And go with whirlwinds from the south. [15] The Lord of hosts will defend them; They shall devour and subdue with slingstones. They shall drink and roar as if with wine; They shall be filled with blood like basins, Like the corners of the altar.

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

[22] “TheLord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. [23] I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. [24] When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. [25] Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; [26] While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world. [27] When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, [28] When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, [29] When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, [30] Then I was beside Himas a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, [31] Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.

[1] Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; [2] and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. [3] And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” [4] So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. [5] But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” [6] And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. [7] Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. [8] And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [9] Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ [10] Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

[1] Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, [2] saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. [3] And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” [4] All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: [5] “Tellthe daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” [6] So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. [7] They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. [8] And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. [9] Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

[44] Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. [45] And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. [46] I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. [47] And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. [48] He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. [49] For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. [50] And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

[2] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— For your love is better than wine. [3] Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. [4] Draw me away! The Daughters of Jerusalem We will run after you. The Shulamite The king has brought me into his chambers. The Daughters of Jerusalem We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. The Shulamite Rightly do they love you. [5] I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon. [6] Do not look upon me, because I am dark, Because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard I have not kept. (To Her Beloved) [7] Tell me, O you whom I love, Where you feed your flock, Where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself By the flocks of your companions? The Beloved [8] If you do not know, O fairest among women, Follow in the footsteps of the flock, And feed your little goats Beside the shepherds’ tents. [9] I have compared you, my love, To my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots. [10] Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, Your neck with chains of gold. The Daughters of Jerusalem [11] We will make you ornaments of gold With studs of silver. The Shulamite [12] While the king is at his table, My spikenard sends forth its fragrance. [13] A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, That lies all night between my breasts. [14] My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blooms In the vineyards of En Gedi. The Beloved [15] Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes. The Shulamite [16] Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is green. [17] The beams of our houses are cedar, And our rafters of fir. [1] I am the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys. The Beloved [2] Like a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters. The Shulamite [3] Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. The Shulamite to the Daughters of Jerusalem