Daily Readings

[12] And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. [13] Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. [14] They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. [15] Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” [16] So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. [17] Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” [18] So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.” [19] Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” [20] And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. [21] But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.” [22] So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.” [23] And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; [24] and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” [25] He wrote a letter in the following manner: [26] Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. [27] This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. [28] And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council. [29] I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. [30] And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell. [31] Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. [32] The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks. [33] When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. [34] And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, [35] he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.

[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 [13] Return, return, O Shulamite; Return, return, that we may look upon you! The Shulamite What would you see in the Shulamite— As it were, the dance of the two camps? The Beloved [1] How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, The work of the hands of a skillful workman. [2] Your navel is a rounded goblet; It lacks no blended beverage. Your waist is a heap of wheat Set about with lilies. [3] Your two breasts are like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle. [4] Your neck is like an ivory tower, Your eyes like the pools in Heshbon By the gate of Bath Rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon Which looks toward Damascus. [5] Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, And the hair of your head is like purple; A king is held captive by your tresses. [6] How fair and how pleasant you are, O love, with your delights! [7] This stature of yours is like a palm tree, And your breasts like its clusters. [8] I said, “I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of its branches.” Let now your breasts be like clusters of the vine, The fragrance of your breath like apples, [9] And the roof of your mouth like the best wine. The Shulamite The wine goes down smoothly for my beloved, Moving gently the lips of sleepers. [10] I am my beloved’s, And his desire is toward me. [11] Come, my beloved, Let us go forth to the field; Let us lodge in the villages. [12] Let us get up early to the vineyards; Let us see if the vine has budded, Whether the grape blossoms are open, And the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love. [13] The mandrakes give off a fragrance, And at our gates are pleasant fruits, All manner, new and old, Which I have laid up for you, my beloved. [1] Oh, that you were like my brother, Who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I should find you outside, I would kiss you; I would not be despised. [2] I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, She who used to instruct me. I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate. (To the Daughters of Jerusalem) [3] His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me. [4] I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, Do not stir up nor awaken love Until it pleases. A Relative [5] Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? I awakened you under the apple tree. There your mother brought you forth; There she who bore you brought you forth. The Shulamite to Her Beloved [6] Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. [7] Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised. The Shulamite’s Brothers [8] We have a little sister, And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister In the day when she is spoken for? [9] If she is a wall, We will build upon her A battlement of silver; And if she is a door, We will enclose her With boards of cedar. The Shulamite [10] I am a wall, And my breasts like towers; Then I became in his eyes As one who found peace. [11] Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon; He leased the vineyard to keepers; Everyone was to bring for its fruit A thousand silver coins. (To Solomon) [12] My own vineyard is before me. You, O Solomon, may have a thousand, And those who tend its fruit two hundred. The Beloved [13] You who dwell in the gardens, The companions listen for your voice— Let me hear it! The Shulamite

[1] Who is this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength?— “I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” [2] Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? [3] “I have trodden the winepress alone, And from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes. [4] For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. [5] I looked, but there was no one to help, And I wondered That there was no one to uphold; Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; And My own fury, it sustained Me. [6] I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, Made them drunk in My fury, And brought down their strength to the earth.”

[24] For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; [25] not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— [26] He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. [27] And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, [28] so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

[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.

[13] These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. [14] Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. [15] And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. [16] If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. [17] All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. [18] We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. [19] We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. [20] And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. [21] Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

[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.

[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.

[20] And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. [21] Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. [22] And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. [23] Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. [24] And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. [25] Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. [26] And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. [27] With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. [28] So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” [29] And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, [30] save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” [31] Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. [32] Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. [33] Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. [34] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” [35] Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” [36] Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” [37] And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

[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.