Daily Readings

[18] Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. [19] For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. [20] For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. [21] For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: [22] “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; [23] who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; [24] who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. [25] For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

[20] Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. [21] But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” [22] And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” [23] So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? [24] If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. [25] And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. [26] And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. [27] No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. [28] “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; [29] but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— [30] because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

[11] Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. [12] And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” [14] Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” [15] So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. [16] Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” [17] And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. [18] Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. [19] And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” [20] When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” [21] And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. [22] Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. [23] And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” [24] When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [25] But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. [26] But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. [27] This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ [28] For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” [29] And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. [30] But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. [31] And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? [32] They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’ [33] For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ [34] The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ [35] But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

[1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, [2] a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. [3] About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” [4] And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. [6] He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” [7] And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. [8] So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. [9] The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. [10] Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance [11] and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. [12] In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. [13] And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” [14] But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” [15] And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” [16] This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. [17] Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. [18] And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there. [19] While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. [20] Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” [21] Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” [22] And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” [23] Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

[22] After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. [23] Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. [24] For John had not yet been thrown into prison. [25] Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. [26] And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” [27] John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. [28] You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ [29] He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. [30] He must increase, but I must decrease. [31] He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. [32] And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. [33] He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. [34] For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. [35] The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. [36] He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

[18] While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” [19] So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. [20] And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. [21] For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” [22] But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. [23] When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, [24] He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. [25] But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. [26] And the report of this went out into all that land.