February 2 Reading through the Bible

EXODUS 15:19-17:7
MATTHEW 22:1-33
PSALM 27:1-6
PROVERBS 6:20-26

EXODUS 15:19-17:7
When Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers rushed into the sea, the LORD brought the water crashing down on them. But the people of Israel had walked through on dry land! 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine and led all the women in rhythm and dance. 21 And Miriam sang this song: " I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has thrown both horse and rider into the sea."
22 Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the Shur Desert. They traveled in this desert for three days without water. 23 When they came to Marah, they finally found water. But the people couldn't drink it because it was bitter. (That is why the place was called Marah, which means " bitter.") 24 Then the people turned against Moses. " What are we going to drink?" they demanded. 25 So Moses cried out to the LORD for help, and the LORD showed him a branch. Moses took the branch and threw it into the water. This made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that the LORD laid before them the following conditions to test their faithfulness to him: 26 " If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you." 27 After leaving Marah, they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the springs.16:1 THEN they left Elim and journeyed into the Sin Desert, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there a month after leaving Egypt. 2 There, too, the whole community of Israel spoke bitterly against Moses and Aaron. 3 " Oh, that we were back in Egypt," they moaned. " It would have been better if the LORD had killed us there! At least there we had plenty to eat. But now you have brought us into this desert to starve us to death." 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, " Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. The people can go out each day and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 Tell them to pick up twice as much as usual on the sixth day of each week." 6 Then Moses and Aaron called a meeting of all the people of Israel and told them, " In the evening you will realize that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 In the morning you will see the glorious presence of the LORD. He has heard your complaints, which are against the LORD and not against us. 8 The LORD will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. Yes, your complaints are against the LORD, not against us." 9 Then Moses said to Aaron, " Say this to the entire community of Israel: ` Come into the LORD's presence, and hear his reply to your complaints.' " 10 And as Aaron spoke to the people, they looked out toward the desert. Within the guiding cloud, they could see the awesome glory of the LORD. 11 And the LORD said to Moses, 12 " I have heard the people's complaints. Now tell them, ` In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.' " 13 That evening vast numbers of quail arrived and covered the camp. The next morning the desert all around the camp was wet with dew. 14 When the dew disappeared later in the morning, thin flakes, white like frost, covered the ground. 15 The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. " What is it?" they asked. And Moses told them, " It is the food the LORD has given you. 16 The LORD says that each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person." 17 So the people of Israel went out and gathered this food--some getting more, and some getting less. 18 By gathering two quarts for each person, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. 19 Then Moses told them, " Do not keep any of it overnight." 20 But, of course, some of them didn't listen and kept some of it until morning. By then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. And Moses was very angry with them. 21 The people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the food they had not picked up melted and disappeared. 22 On the sixth day, there was twice as much as usual on the ground--four quarts for each person instead of two. The leaders of the people came and asked Moses why this had happened. 23 He replied, " The LORD has appointed tomorrow as a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. On this day we will rest from our normal daily tasks. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow." 24 The next morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. 25 Moses said, " This is your food for today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD. There will be no food on the ground today. 26 Gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is a Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground for you on that day." 27 Some of the people went out anyway to gather food, even though it was the Sabbath day. But there was none to be found. 28 " How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?" the LORD asked Moses. 29 " Do they not realize that I have given them the seventh day, the Sabbath, as a day of rest? That is why I give you twice as much food on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must stay in your places. Do not pick up food from the ground on that day." 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. 31 In time, the food became known as manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey cakes. 32 Then Moses gave them this command from the LORD: " Take two quarts of manna and keep it forever as a treasured memorial of the LORD's provision. By doing this, later generations will be able to see the bread that the LORD provided in the wilderness when he brought you out of Egypt."33 Moses said to Aaron, " Get a container and put two quarts of manna into it. Then store it in a sacred place as a reminder for all future generations." 34 Aaron did this, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it for safekeeping in the Ark of the Covenant. 35 So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived in the land of Canaan, where there were crops to eat. 36 (The container used to measure the manna was an omer, which held about two quarts.)17:1 AT the LORD's command, the people of Israel left the Sin Desert and moved from place to place. Eventually they came to Rephidim, but there was no water to be found there. 2 So once more the people grumbled and complained to Moses. " Give us water to drink!" they demanded. " Quiet!" Moses replied. " Why are you arguing with me? And why are you testing the LORD?" 3 But tormented by thirst, they continued to complain, " Why did you ever take us out of Egypt? Why did you bring us here? We, our children, and our livestock will all die!" 4 Then Moses pleaded with the LORD, " What should I do with these people? They are about to stone me!" 5 The LORD said to Moses, " Take your shepherd's staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile. Then call some of the leaders of Israel and walk on ahead of the people. 6 I will meet you by the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come pouring out. Then the people will be able to drink." Moses did just as he was told; and as the leaders looked on, water gushed out. 7 Moses named the place Massah--" the place of testing"--and Meribah--" the place of arguing"--because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, " Is the LORD going to take care of us or not?"

MATTHEW 22:1-33
Jesus told them [the leading priests and Pharisees] several other stories to illustrate the Kingdom. He said, 2 " The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. 3 Many guests were invited, and when the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify everyone that it was time to come. But they all refused! 4 So he sent other servants to tell them, ` The feast has been prepared, and choice meats have been cooked. Everything is ready. Hurry!'5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went about their business, one to his farm, another to his store. 6 Others seized his messengers and treated them shamefully, even killing some of them. 7 " Then the king became furious. He sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their city. 8 And he said to his servants, ` The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren't worthy of the honor. 9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.' 10 " So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn't wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. 12 ` Friend,' he asked, ` how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?' And the man had no reply. 13 Then the king said to his aides, ` Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen." 15 Then the Pharisees met together to think of a way to trap Jesus into saying something for which they could accuse him. 16 They decided to send some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to ask him this question: " Teacher, we know how honest you are. You teach about the way of God regardless of the consequences. You are impartial and don't play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or not?" 18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. " You hypocrites!" he said. " Whom are you trying to fool with your trick questions? 19 Here, show me the Roman coin used for the tax." When they handed him the coin, 20 he asked, " Whose picture and title are stamped on it?" 21 " Caesar's," they replied. " Well, then," he said, " give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God." 22 His reply amazed them, and they went away. 23 That same day some Sadducees stepped forward--a group of Jews who say there is no resurrection after death. They posed this question: 24 " Teacher, Moses said, ` If a man dies without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will be the brother's heir.' 25 Well, there were seven brothers. The oldest married and then died without children, so the second brother married the widow. 26 This brother also died without children, and the wife was married to the next brother, and so on until she had been the wife of each of them. 27 And then she also died. 28 So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For she was the wife of all seven of them!"29 Jesus replied, " Your problem is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God. 30 For when the dead rise, they won't be married. They will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead--haven't you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, 32 ` I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' So he is the God of the living, not the dead." 33 When the crowds heard him, they were impressed with his teaching.

PSALM 27:1-6
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation--
so why should I be afraid?
The LORD protects me from danger--
so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to destroy me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will know no fear.
Even if they attack me,
I remain confident.
4 The one thing I ask of the LORD--
the thing I seek most--
is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
delighting in the LORD's perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high,
above my enemies who surround me.
At his Tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the LORD with music.

PROVERBS 6:20-26

My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's teaching. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life. These commands and this teaching will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of an adulterous woman. Don't lust for her beauty. Don't let her coyness seduce you. For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, and sleeping with another man's wife may cost you your very life. 

February 1 Reading through the Bible

EXODUS 13:17-15:18

MATTHEW 21:23-46

PSALM 26:1-12

PROVERBS 6:16-19

EXODUS 13:17-15:18

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land. God said, " If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." 18 So God led them along a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear that they would take his bones with them when God led them out of Egypt--as he was sure God would. 20 Leaving Succoth, they camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The LORD guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. That way they could travel whether it was day or night. 22 And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from their sight.14:1 THEN the LORD gave these instructions to Moses: 2 " Tell the people to march toward Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, opposite Baal-zephon. 3 Then Pharaoh will think, ` Those Israelites are confused. They are trapped between the wilderness and the sea!' 4 And once again I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this so I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies. After this, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told. 5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites were not planning to return to Egypt after three days, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. " What have we done, letting all these slaves get away?" they asked. 6 So Pharaoh called out his troops and led the chase in his chariot. 7 He took with him six hundred of Egypt's best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with a commander. 8 The LORD continued to strengthen Pharaoh's resolve, and he chased after the people of Israel who had escaped so defiantly. 9 All the forces in Pharaoh's army--all his horses, chariots, and charioteers--were used in the chase. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon. 10 As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the LORD for help. 11 Then they turned against Moses and complained, " Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? Why did you make us leave? 12 Didn't we tell you to leave us alone while we were still in Egypt? Our Egyptian slavery was far better than dying out here in the wilderness!"13 But Moses told the people, " Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. 14 The LORD himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!" 15 Then the LORD said to Moses, " Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Use your shepherd's staff--hold it out over the water, and a path will open up before you through the sea. Then all the people of Israel will walk through on dry ground. 17 Yet I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will follow the Israelites into the sea. Then I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies, chariots, and charioteers. 18 When I am finished with Pharaoh and his army, all Egypt will know that I am the LORD!" 19 Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to a position behind them, and the pillar of cloud also moved around behind them. 20 The cloud settled between the Israelite and Egyptian camps. As night came, the pillar of cloud turned into a pillar of fire, lighting the Israelite camp. But the cloud became darkness to the Egyptians, and they couldn't find the Israelites. 21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! 23 Then the Egyptians--all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers--followed them across the bottom of the sea. 24 But early in the morning, the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw them into confusion. 25 Their chariot wheels began to come off, making their chariots impossible to drive. " Let's get out of here!" the Egyptians shouted. " The LORD is fighting for Israel against us!"26 When all the Israelites were on the other side, the LORD said to Moses, " Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back over the Egyptian chariots and charioteers." 27 So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea. The water roared back into its usual place, and the LORD swept the terrified Egyptians into the surging currents. 28 The waters covered all the chariots and charioteers--the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived. 29 The people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry land, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. 30 This was how the LORD rescued Israel from the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites could see the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore. 31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had displayed against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and put their faith in him and his servant Moses. 15:1 THEN Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD: " I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;

he has thrown both horse and rider into the sea.

2 The LORD is my strength and my song;

he has become my victory.

He is my God, and I will praise him;

he is my father's God, and I will exalt him!

3 The LORD is a warrior;

yes, the LORD is his name!

4 Pharaoh's chariots and armies,

he has thrown into the sea.

The very best of Pharaoh's officers

have been drowned in the Red Sea.

5 The deep waters have covered them;

they sank to the bottom like a stone.

6 " Your right hand, O LORD,

is glorious in power.

Your right hand, O LORD,

dashes the enemy to pieces.

7 In the greatness of your majesty,

you overthrew those who rose against you.

Your anger flashed forth;

it consumed them as fire burns straw.

8 At the blast of your breath, the waters piled up!

The surging waters stood straight like a wall;

in the middle of the sea the waters became hard.

9 " The enemy said, ` I will chase them,

catch up with them, and destroy them.

I will divide the plunder,

avenging myself against them.

I will unsheath my sword;

my power will destroy them.'

10 But with a blast of your breath,

the sea covered them.

They sank like lead

in the mighty waters.

11 " Who else among the gods is like you, O LORD?

Who is glorious in holiness like you--

so awesome in splendor,

performing such wonders?

12 You raised up your hand,

and the earth swallowed our enemies.

13 " With unfailing love you will lead

this people whom you have ransomed.

You will guide them in your strength

to the place where your holiness dwells.

14 The nations will hear and tremble;

anguish will grip the people of Philistia.

15 The leaders of Edom will be terrified;

the nobles of Moab will tremble.

All the people of Canaan will melt with fear;

16 terror and dread will overcome them.

Because of your great power,

they will be silent like a stone,

until your people pass by, O LORD,

until the people whom you purchased pass by.

17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain--

the place you have made as your home, O LORD,

the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have made.

18 The LORD will reign forever and ever!"

MATTHEW 21:23-46

When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and other leaders came up to him. They demanded, " By whose authority did you drive out the merchants from the Temple? Who gave you such authority?" 24 " I'll tell you who gave me the authority to do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied. 25 " Did John's baptism come from heaven or was it merely human?" They talked it over among themselves. " If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn't believe him. 26 But if we say it was merely human, we'll be mobbed, because the people think he was a prophet." 27 So they finally replied, " We don't know." And Jesus responded, " Then I won't answer your question either. 28 " But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ` Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' 29 The son answered, ` No, I won't go,' but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the father told the other son, ` You go,' and he said, ` Yes, sir, I will.' But he didn't go. 31 Which of the two was obeying his father?" They replied, " The first, of course." Then Jesus explained his meaning: " I assure you, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. 32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the way to life, and you didn't believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to turn from your sins and believe him. 33 " Now listen to this story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. 34 At the time of the grape harvest he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. 35 But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same. 37 " Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ` Surely they will respect my son.' 38 " But when the farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ` Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let's kill him and get the estate for ourselves!' 39 So they grabbed him, took him out of the vineyard, and murdered him. 40 " When the owner of the vineyard returns," Jesus asked, " what do you think he will do to those farmers?" 41 The religious leaders replied, " He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest." 42 Then Jesus asked them, " Didn't you ever read this in the Scriptures? ` The stone rejected by the builders

has now become the cornerstone.

This is the Lord's doing,

and it is marvelous to see.'

43 What I mean is that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. 44 Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls." 45 When the leading priests and Pharisees heard Jesus, they realized he was pointing at them--that they were the farmers in his story. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid to try because the crowds considered Jesus to be a prophet.

PSALM 26:1-12

A psalm of David.

1 Declare me innocent, O LORD,

for I have acted with integrity;

I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

2 Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me.

Test my motives and affections.

3 For I am constantly aware of your unfailing love,

and I have lived according to your truth.

4 I do not spend time with liars

or go along with hypocrites.

5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,

and I refuse to join in with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands to declare my innocence.

I come to your altar, O LORD,

7 singing a song of thanksgiving

and telling of all your miracles.

8 I love your sanctuary, LORD,

the place where your glory shines.

9 Don't let me suffer the fate of sinners.

Don't condemn me along with murderers.

10 Their hands are dirty with wicked schemes,

and they constantly take bribes.

11 But I am not like that; I do what is right.

So in your mercy, save me.

12 I have taken a stand,

and I will publicly praise the LORD.

PROVERBS 6:16-19

There are six things the LORD hates--no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord among brothers.

 

January 31 Reading through the Bible

 

EXODUS 12:14-13:16
MATTHEW 20:29-21:22
PSALM 25:16-22
PROVERBS 6:12-15


" You must remember this day forever. Each year you will celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. 15 For seven days, you may eat only bread made without yeast. On the very first day you must remove every trace of yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast at any time during the seven days of the festival will be cut off from the community of Israel. 16 On the first day of the festival, and again on the seventh day, all the people must gather for a time of special worship. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food. 17 " Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent regulation for you, to be kept from generation to generation. 18 Only bread without yeast may be eaten from the evening of the fourteenth day of the month until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month. 19 During those seven days, there must be no trace of yeast in your homes. Anyone who eats anything made with yeast during this week will be cut off from the community of Israel. These same regulations apply to the foreigners living with you, as if they had been born among you. 20 I repeat, during those days you must not eat anything made with yeast. Wherever you live, eat only bread that has no yeast in it." 21 Then Moses called for the leaders of Israel and said, " Tell each of your families to slaughter the lamb they have set apart for the Passover. 22 Drain each lamb's blood into a basin. Then take a cluster of hyssop branches and dip it into the lamb's blood. Strike the hyssop against the top and sides of the doorframe, staining it with the blood. And remember, no one is allowed to leave the house until morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through the land and strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit the Destroyer to enter and strike down your firstborn. 24 " Remember, these instructions are permanent and must be observed by you and your descendants forever. 25 When you arrive in the land the LORD has promised to give you, you will continue to celebrate this festival. 26 Then your children will ask, ` What does all this mean? What is this ceremony about?' 27 And you will reply, ` It is the celebration of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the homes of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he killed the Egyptians, he spared our families and did not destroy us.' " Then all the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 So the people of Israel did just as the LORD had commanded through Moses and Aaron. 29 And at midnight the LORD killed all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn son of the captive in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. 30 Pharaoh and his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. 31 Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. " Leave us!" he cried. " Go away, all of you! Go and serve the LORD as you have requested. 32 Take your flocks and herds, and be gone. Go, but give me a blessing as you leave." 33 All the Egyptians urged the people of Israel to get out of the land as quickly as possible, for they thought, " We will all die!" 34 The Israelites took with them their bread dough made without yeast. They wrapped their kneading bowls in their spare clothing and carried them on their shoulders. 35 And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed and asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. 36 The LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So, like a victorious army, they plundered the Egyptians! 37 That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. And they were all traveling on foot. 38 Many people who were not Israelites went with them, along with the many flocks and herds. 39 Whenever they stopped to eat, they baked bread from the yeastless dough they had brought from Egypt. It was made without yeast because the people were rushed out of Egypt and had no time to wait for bread to rise. 40 The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. 41 In fact, it was on the last day of the 430th year that all the LORD's forces left the land. 42 This night had been reserved by the LORD to bring his people out from the land of Egypt, so this same night now belongs to him. It must be celebrated every year, from generation to generation, to remember the LORD's deliverance. 43 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, " These are the regulations for the festival of Passover. No foreigners are allowed to eat the Passover lamb. 44 But any slave who has been purchased may eat it if he has been circumcised. 45 Hired servants and visiting foreigners may not eat it. 46 All who eat the lamb must eat it together in one house. You must not carry any of its meat outside, and you may not break any of its bones. 47 The whole community of Israel must celebrate this festival at the same time. 48 " If there are foreigners living among you who want to celebrate the LORD's Passover, let all the males be circumcised. Then they may come and celebrate the Passover with you. They will be treated just as if they had been born among you. But an uncircumcised male may never eat of the Passover lamb. 49 This law applies to everyone, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner who has settled among you." 50 So the people of Israel followed all the LORD's instructions to Moses and Aaron. 51 And that very day the LORD began to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, division by division.13:1 THEN the LORD said to Moses, 2 " Dedicate to me all the firstborn sons of Israel and every firstborn male animal. They are mine." 3 So Moses said to the people, " This is a day to remember forever--the day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. For the LORD has brought you out by his mighty power. (Remember, you are not to use any yeast.) 4 This day in early spring will be the anniversary of your exodus. 5 You must celebrate this day when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites. This is the land he swore to give your ancestors--a land flowing with milk and honey. 6 For seven days you will eat only bread without yeast. Then on the seventh day, you will celebrate a great feast to the LORD. 7 Eat only bread without yeast during those seven days. In fact, there must be no yeast in your homes or anywhere within the borders of your land during this time. 8 " During these festival days each year, you must explain to your children why you are celebrating. Say to them, ` This is a celebration of what the LORD did for us when we left Egypt.' 9 This annual festival will be a visible reminder to you, like a mark branded on your hands or your forehead. Let it remind you always to keep the LORD's instructions in your minds and on your lips. After all, it was the LORD who rescued you from Egypt with great power.10 " So celebrate this festival at the appointed time each year. 11 And remember these instructions when the LORD brings you into the land he swore to give your ancestors long ago, the land where the Canaanites are now living. 12 All firstborn sons and firstborn male animals must be presented to the LORD. 13 A firstborn male donkey may be redeemed from the LORD by presenting a lamb in its place. But if you decide not to make the exchange, the donkey must be killed by breaking its neck. However, you must redeem every firstborn son. 14 " And in the future, your children will ask you, ` What does all this mean?' Then you will tell them, ` With mighty power the LORD brought us out of Egypt from our slavery. 15 Pharaoh refused to let us go, so the LORD killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. That is why we now offer all the firstborn males to the LORD--except that the firstborn sons are always redeemed.' 16 Again I say, this ceremony will be like a mark branded on your hands or your forehead. It is a visible reminder that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt with great power."

MATTHEW 20:29-21:22
As Jesus and the disciples left the city of Jericho, a huge crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, " Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 31 The crowd told them to be quiet, but they only shouted louder, " Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 32 Jesus stopped in the road and called, " What do you want me to do for you?" 33 " Lord," they said, " we want to see!" 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.21:1 AS Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 " Go into the village over there," he said, " and you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them here. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ` The Lord needs them,' and he will immediately send them." 4 This was done to fulfill the prophecy, 5 " Tell the people of Israel,
` Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey--
even on a donkey's colt.' "
6 The two disciples did as Jesus said. 7 They brought the animals to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 He was in the center of the procession, and the crowds all around him were shouting, " Praise God for the Son of David!
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!"
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was stirred as he entered. " Who is this?" they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, " It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." 12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the stalls of those selling doves. 13 He said, " The Scriptures declare, ` My Temple will be called a place of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" 14 The blind and the lame came to him, and he healed them there in the Temple. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the little children in the Temple shouting, " Praise God for the Son of David." But they were indignant 16 and asked Jesus, " Do you hear what these children are saying?" " Yes," Jesus replied. " Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ` You have taught children and infants to give you praise.'" 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight. 18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs on it, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, " May you never bear fruit again!" And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, " How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" 21 Then Jesus told them, " I assure you, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ` May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and it will happen. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

PSALM 25:16-22
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
17 My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
18 Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
19 See how many enemies I have,
and how viciously they hate me!
20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you.
21 May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you.
22 O God, ransom Israel
from all its troubles.

PROVERBS 6:12-15
Here is a description of worthless and wicked people: They are constant liars, signaling their true intentions to their friends by making signs with their eyes and feet and fingers. Their perverted hearts plot evil. They stir up trouble constantly. But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond all hope of healing.

January 30 Reading through the Bible

EXODUS 10:1- 12:13
MATTHEW 20:1- 28
PSALM 25:1- 15
PROVERBS 6:6- 11


Then the LORD said to Moses, "Return to Pharaoh and again make your demands. I have made him and his officials stubborn so I can continue to display my power by performing miraculous signs among them. 2 You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the LORD." 3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says:How long will you refuse to submit to me? Let my people go, so they can worship me. 4 If you refuse, watch out! For tomorrow I will cover the whole country with locusts. 5 There will be so many that you won't be able to see the ground. They will devour everything that escaped the hailstorm, including all the trees in the fields. 6 They will overrun your palaces and the homes of your officials and all the houses of Egypt. Never in the history of Egypt has there been a plague like this one!" And with that, Moses turned and walked out. 7 The court officials now came to Pharaoh and appealed to him. "How long will you let these disasters go on? Please let the Israelites go to serve the LORD their God! Don't you realize that Egypt lies in ruins?" 8 So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "All right, go and serve the LORD your God," he said. "But tell me, just whom do you want to take along?" 9 "Young and old, all of us will go," Moses replied. "We will take our sons and daughters and our flocks and herds. We must all join together in a festival to the LORD." 10 Pharaoh retorted, "The LORD will certainly need to be with you if you try to take your little ones along! I can see through your wicked intentions. 11 Never! Only the men may go and serve the LORD, for that is what you requested." And Pharaoh threw them out of the palace. 12 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Raise your hand over the land of Egypt to bring on the locusts. Let them cover the land and eat all the crops still left after the hailstorm." 13 So Moses raised his staff, and the LORD caused an east wind to blow all that day and through the night. When morning arrived, the east wind had brought the locusts. 14 And the locusts swarmed over the land of Egypt from border to border. It was the worst locust plague in Egyptian history, and there has never again been one like it. 15 For the locusts covered the surface of the whole country, making the ground look black. They ate all the plants and all the fruit on the trees that had survived the hailstorm. Not one green thing remained, neither tree nor plant, throughout the land of Egypt. 16 Pharaoh quickly sent for Moses and Aaron. "I confess my sin against the LORD your God and against you," he said to them. 17 "Forgive my sin only this once, and plead with the LORD your God to take away this terrible plague." 18 So Moses left Pharaoh and pleaded with the LORD. 19 The LORD responded by sending a strong west wind that blew the locusts out into the Red Sea. Not a single locust remained in all the land of Egypt. 20 But the LORD made Pharaoh stubborn once again, and he did not let the people go. 21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Lift your hand toward heaven, and a deep and terrifying darkness will descend on the land of Egypt." 22 So Moses lifted his hand toward heaven, and there was deep darkness over the entire land for three days. 23 During all that time the people scarcely moved, for they could not see. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived. 24 Then Pharaoh called for Moses. "Go and worship the LORD," he said. "But let your flocks and herds stay here. You can even take your children with you." 25 "No," Moses said, "we must take our flocks and herds for sacrifices and burnt offerings to the LORD our God. 26 All our property must go with us; not a hoof can be left behind. We will have to choose our sacrifices for the LORD our God from among these animals. And we won't know which sacrifices he will require until we get there." 27 So the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart once more, and he would not let them go. 28 "Get out of here!" Pharaoh shouted at Moses. "Don't ever let me see you again! The day you do, you will die!" 29 "Very well," Moses replied. "I will never see you again." 11:1 THEN the LORD said to Moses, "I will send just one more disaster on Pharaoh and the land of Egypt. After that, Pharaoh will let you go. In fact, he will be so anxious to get rid of you that he will practically force you to leave the country. 2 Tell all the Israelite men and women to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold." 3 (Now the LORD had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel, and Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt. He was respected by Pharaoh's officials and the Egyptian people alike.) 4 So Moses announced to Pharaoh, "This is what the LORD says:About midnight I will pass through Egypt. 5 All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest slave. Even the firstborn of the animals will die. 6 Then a loud wail will be heard throughout the land of Egypt; there has never been such wailing before, and there never will be again. 7 But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites. 8 All the officials of Egypt will come running to me, bowing low. `Please leave! 'they will beg. `Hurry! And take all your followers with you.' Only then will I go!" Then, burning with anger, Moses left Pharaoh's presence. 9 Now the LORD had told Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you. But this will give me the opportunity to do even more mighty miracles in the land of Egypt." 10 Although Moses and Aaron did these miracles in Pharaoh's presence, the LORD hardened his heart so he wouldn't let the Israelites leave the country. 12:1 NOW the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron while they were still in the land of Egypt:2 "From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. 3 Announce to the whole community that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice. 4 If a family is too small to eat an entire lamb, let them share the lamb with another family in the neighborhood. Whether or not they share in this way depends on the size of each family and how much they can eat. 5 This animal must be a one- year- old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no physical defects. 6" Take special care of these lambs until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then each family in the community must slaughter its lamb. 7 They are to take some of the lamb's blood and smear it on the top and sides of the doorframe of the house where the lamb will be eaten. 8 That evening everyone must eat roast lamb with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. 9 The meat must never be eaten raw or boiled; roast it all, including the head, legs, and internal organs. 10 Do not leave any of it until the next day. Whatever is not eaten that night must be burned before morning. 11 "Wear your traveling clothes as you eat this meal, as though prepared for a long journey. Wear your sandals, and carry your walking sticks in your hands. Eat the food quickly, for this is the LORD's Passover. 12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and kill all the firstborn sons and firstborn male animals in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD! 13 The blood you have smeared on your doorposts will serve as a sign. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt."


"For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. 3" At nine o'clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. 4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. 5 At noon and again around three o'clock he did the same thing. 6 At five o'clock that evening he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, `Why haven't you been working today? '7 "They replied, `Because no one hired us.'" The owner of the estate told them, `Then go on out and join the others in my vineyard. '8 "That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. 9 When those hired at five o'clock were paid, each received a full day's wage. 10 When those hired earlier came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day's wage. 11 When they received their pay, they protested, 12 `Those people worked only one hour, and yet you've paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.' 13" He answered one of them, `Friend, I haven't been unfair! Didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage? 14 Take it and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. 15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be angry because I am kind? '16 "And so it is, that many who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then." 17 As Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. 18 "When we get to Jerusalem," he said, "the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. 19 Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, whipped, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead." 20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 "What is your request?" he asked. She replied, "In your Kingdom, will you let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one at your right and the other at your left?" 22 But Jesus told them, "You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?" "Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!" 23 "You will indeed drink from it," he told them. "But I have no right to say who will sit on the thrones next to mine. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen." 24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. 26 But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. 28 For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."


A psalm of David.
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4 Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD;
point out the right road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O LORD, your unfailing love and compassion,
which you have shown from long ages past.
7 Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth;
look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O LORD.
8 The LORD is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
teaching them his way.
10 The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.
11 For the honor of your name, O LORD,
forgive my many, many sins.
12 Who are those who fear the LORD?
He will show them the path they should choose.
13 They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the Promised Land.
14 Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear him.
With them he shares the secrets of his covenant.
15 My eyes are always looking to the LORD for help,
for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies.


Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson:A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-- and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber

 

January 29 reading through the Bible

 

EXODUS 8:1- 9:35
MATTHEW 19:13- 30
PSALM 24:1- 10
PROVERBS 6:1- 5


Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh once again and tell him, `This is what the LORD says:Let my people go, so they can worship me. 2 If you refuse, then listen carefully to this:I will send vast hordes of frogs across your entire land from one border to the other. 3 The Nile River will swarm with them. They will come up out of the river and into your houses, even into your bedrooms and onto your beds! Every home in Egypt will be filled with them. They will fill even your ovens and your kneading bowls. 4 You and your people will be overwhelmed by frogs! '" 5 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron to point his shepherd's staff toward all the rivers, canals, and marshes of Egypt so there will be frogs in every corner of the land." 6 Aaron did so, and frogs covered the whole land of Egypt! 7 But the magicians were able to do the same thing with their secret arts. They, too, caused frogs to come up on the land. 8 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, "Plead with the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. I will let the people go, so they can offer sacrifices to the LORD." 9 "You set the time!" Moses replied. "Tell me when you want me to pray for you, your officials, and your people. I will pray that you and your houses will be rid of the frogs. Then only the frogs in the Nile River will remain alive." 10 "Do it tomorrow," Pharaoh said. "All right," Moses replied, "it will be as you have said. Then you will know that no one is as powerful as the LORD our God. 11 All the frogs will be destroyed, except those in the river." 12 So Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, and Moses pleaded with the LORD about the frogs he had sent. 13 And the LORD did as Moses had promised. The frogs in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields all died. 14 They were piled into great heaps, and a terrible stench filled the land. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that the frogs were gone, he hardened his heart. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had predicted. 16 So the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron to strike the dust with his staff. The dust will turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt." 17 So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. Suddenly, gnats infested the entire land, covering the Egyptians and their animals. All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into gnats. 18 Pharaoh's magicians tried to do the same thing with their secret arts, but this time they failed. And the gnats covered all the people and animals. 19 "This is the finger of God!" the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh's heart remained hard and stubborn. He wouldn't listen to them, just as the LORD had predicted. 20 Next the LORD told Moses, "Get up early in the morning and meet Pharaoh as he goes down to the river. Say to him, `This is what the LORD says:Let my people go, so they can worship me. 21 If you refuse, I will send swarms of flies throughout Egypt. Your homes will be filled with them, and the ground will be covered with them. 22 But it will be very different in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the LORD and that I have power even in the heart of your land. 23 I will make a clear distinction between your people and my people. This miraculous sign will happen tomorrow.'" 24 And the LORD did just as he had said. There were terrible swarms of flies in Pharaoh's palace and in every home in Egypt. The whole country was thrown into chaos by the flies. 25 Pharaoh hastily called for Moses and Aaron. "All right! Go ahead and offer sacrifices to your God," he said. "But do it here in this land. Don't go out into the wilderness." 26 But Moses replied, "That won't do! The Egyptians would detest the sacrifices that we offer to the LORD our God. If we offer them here where they can see us, they will be sure to stone us. 27 We must take a three- day trip into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, just as he has commanded us." 28 "All right, go ahead," Pharaoh replied. "I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God in the wilderness. But don't go too far away. Now hurry, and pray for me." 29 "As soon as I go," Moses said, "I will ask the LORD to cause the swarms of flies to disappear from you and all your people. But I am warning you, don't change your mind again and refuse to let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD." 30 So Moses left Pharaoh and asked the LORD to remove all the flies. 31 And the LORD did as Moses asked and caused the swarms to disappear. Not a single fly remained in the land! 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart again and refused to let the people go. 9:1 "GO back to Pharaoh," the LORD commanded Moses. "Tell him, `This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. 2 If you continue to oppress them and refuse to let them go, 3 the LORD will send a deadly plague to destroy your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, and sheep. 4 But the LORD will again make a distinction between the property of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians. Not a single one of Israel's livestock will die! '" 5 The LORD announced that he would send the plague the very next day, 6 and he did it, just as he had said. The next morning all the livestock of the Egyptians began to die, but the Israelites didn't lose a single animal from their flocks and herds. 7 Pharaoh sent officials to see whether it was true that none of the Israelites' animals were dead. But even after he found it to be true, his heart remained stubborn. He still refused to let the people go. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take soot from a furnace, and have Moses toss it into the sky while Pharaoh watches. 9 It will spread like fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, causing boils to break out on people and animals alike." 10 So they gathered soot from a furnace and went to see Pharaoh. As Pharaoh watched, Moses tossed the soot into the air, and terrible boils broke out on the people and animals throughout Egypt. 11 Even the magicians were unable to stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them, too. 12 But the LORD made Pharaoh even more stubborn, and he refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted. 13 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning. Go to Pharaoh and tell him, `The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. 14 If you don't, I will send a plague that will really speak to you and your officials and all the Egyptian people. I will prove to you that there is no other God like me in all the earth. 15 I could have killed you all by now. I could have attacked you with a plague that would have wiped you from the face of the earth. 16 But I have let you live for this reason-- that you might see my power and that my fame might spread throughout the earth. 17 But you are still lording it over my people, and you refuse to let them go. 18 So tomorrow at this time I will send a hailstorm worse than any in all of Egypt's history. 19 Quick! Order your livestock and servants to come in from the fields. Every person or animal left outside will die beneath the hail. '" 20 Some of Pharaoh's officials believed what the LORD said. They immediately brought their livestock and servants in from the fields. 21 But those who had no respect for the word of the LORD left them out in the open. 22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Lift your hand toward the sky, and cause the hail to fall throughout Egypt, on the people, the animals, and the crops." 23 So Moses lifted his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. The LORD sent a tremendous hailstorm against all the land of Egypt. 24 Never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such severe hail and continuous lightning. 25 It left all of Egypt in ruins. Everything left in the fields was destroyed-- people, animals, and crops alike. Even all the trees were destroyed. 26 The only spot in all Egypt without hail that day was the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived. 27 Then Pharaoh urgently sent for Moses and Aaron. "I finally admit my fault," he confessed. "The LORD is right, and my people and I are wrong. 28 Please beg the LORD to end this terrifying thunder and hail. I will let you go at once." 29 "All right," Moses replied. "As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my hands and pray to the LORD. Then the thunder and hail will stop. This will prove to you that the earth belongs to the LORD. 30 But as for you and your officials, I know that you still do not fear the LORD God as you should." 31 All the flax and barley were destroyed because the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom. 32 But the wheat and the spelt were not destroyed because they had not yet sprouted from the ground. 33 So Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. As he lifted his hands to the LORD, all at once the thunder and hail stopped, and the downpour ceased. 34 When Pharaoh saw this, he and his officials sinned yet again by stubbornly refusing to do as they had promised. 35 Pharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the LORD had predicted.


Some children were brought to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. The disciples told them not to bother him. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." 15 And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. 16 Someone came to Jesus with this question:"Teacher, what good things must I do to have eternal life?" 17 "Why ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "Only God is good. But to answer your question, you can receive eternal life if you keep the commandments." 18 "Which ones?" the man asked. And Jesus replied:"`Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 20 "I've obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?" 21 Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 But when the young man heard this, he went sadly away because he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I say it again-- it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" 25 The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." 27 Then Peter said to him, "We've given up everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?" 28 And Jesus replied, "I assure you that when I, the Son of Man, sit upon my glorious throne in the Kingdom, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life. 30 But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then."


A psalm of David.
1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.
2 For he laid the earth's foundation on the seas
and built it on the ocean depths.
3 Who may climb the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
who do not worship idols
and never tell lies.
5 They will receive the LORD's blessing
and have right standing with God their savior.
6 They alone may enter God's presence
and worship the God of Israel.
Interlude7 Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, invincible in battle.
9 Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
10 Who is the King of glory?
The LORD Almighty--
he is the King of glory.
Interlude



My child, if you co- sign a loan for a friend or guarantee the debt of someone you hardly know-- if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said-- quick, get out of it if you possibly can! You have placed yourself at your friend's mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. Don't put it off. Do it now! Don't rest until you do. Save yourself like a deer escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net

January 28 Reading through the Bible Day 28

EXODUS 5:22- 7:25
MATTHEW 18:21- 19:12
PSALM 23:1- 6
PROVERBS 5:22- 23


So Moses went back to the LORD and protested, "Why have you mistreated your own people like this, Lord? Why did you send me? 23 Since I gave Pharaoh your message, he has been even more brutal to your people. You have not even begun to rescue them!" 6:1 "NOW you will see what I will do to Pharaoh," the LORD told Moses. "When he feels my powerful hand upon him, he will let the people go. In fact, he will be so anxious to get rid of them that he will force them to leave his land!" 2 And God continued, "I am the LORD. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, though I did not reveal my name, the LORD, to them. 4 And I entered into a solemn covenant with them. Under its terms, I swore to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living. 5 You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. I have remembered my covenant with them. 6" Therefore, say to the Israelites:`I am the LORD, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment. 7 I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the LORD your God who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. 8 I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will be your very own property. I am the LORD! '"9 So Moses told the people what the LORD had said, but they wouldn't listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the increasing burden of their slavery. 10 Then the LORD said to Moses, 11" Go back to Pharaoh, and tell him to let the people of Israel leave Egypt. "12" But LORD! "Moses objected." My own people won't listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I'm no orator! "13 But the LORD ordered Moses and Aaron to return to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and to demand that he let the people of Israel leave Egypt. 14 These are the ancestors of clans from some of Israel's tribes:The descendants of Reuben, Israel's oldest son, included Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. Their descendants became the clans of Reuben. 15 The descendants of Simeon included Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul (whose mother was a Canaanite). Their descendants became the clans of Simeon. 16 These are the descendants of Levi, listed according to their family groups. In the first generation were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (Levi, their father, lived to be 137 years old.) 17 The descendants of Gershon included Libni and Shimei, each of whom is the ancestor of a clan. 18 The descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (Kohath lived to be 133 years old.) 19 The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, listed according to their genealogies. 20 Amram married his father's sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. (Amram lived to be 137 years old.) 21 The descendants of Izhar included Korah, Nepheg, and Zicri. 22 The descendants of Uzziel included Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23 Aaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24 The descendants of Korah included Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. Their descendants became the clans of Korah. 25 Eleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the ancestors of the Levite clans, listed according to their family groups. 26 The Aaron and Moses named in this list are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said," Lead all the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt, division by division. "27 They are the ones who went to Pharaoh to ask permission to lead the people from the land of Egypt. 28 At that time, the LORD had said to them, 29" I am the LORD! Give Pharaoh the message I have given you. "30 This is the same Moses who had argued with the LORD, saying," I can't do it! I'm no orator. Why should Pharaoh listen to me? "7:1 THEN the LORD said to Moses," Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh. Your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet; he will speak for you. 2 Tell Aaron everything I say to you and have him announce it to Pharaoh. He will demand that the people of Israel be allowed to leave Egypt. 3 But I will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will crush Egypt with a series of disasters, after which I will lead the forces of Israel out with great acts of judgment. 5 When I show the Egyptians my power and force them to let the Israelites go, they will realize that I am the LORD. "6 So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. 7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty- three at the time they made their demands to Pharaoh. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9" Pharaoh will demand that you show him a miracle to prove that God has sent you. When he makes this demand, say to Aaron, `Throw down your shepherd's staff,' and it will become a snake. "10 So Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh, and they performed the miracle just as the LORD had told them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his court, and it became a snake. 11 Then Pharaoh called in his wise men and magicians, and they did the same thing with their secret arts. 12 Their staffs became snakes, too! But then Aaron's snake swallowed up their snakes. 13 Pharaoh's heart, however, remained hard and stubborn. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted. 14 Then the LORD said to Moses," Pharaoh is very stubborn, and he continues to refuse to let the people go. 15 So go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes down to the river. Stand on the riverbank and meet him there. Be sure to take along the shepherd's staff that turned into a snake. 16 Say to him, `The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say, "Let my people go, so they can worship me in the wilderness." Until now, you have refused to listen to him. 17 Now the LORD says, "You are going to find out that I am the LORD." Look! I will hit the water of the Nile with this staff, and the river will turn to blood. 18 The fish in it will die, and the river will stink. The Egyptians will not be able to drink any water from the Nile. '"19 Then the LORD said to Moses:" Tell Aaron to point his staff toward the waters of Egypt-- all its rivers, canals, marshes, and reservoirs. Everywhere in Egypt the water will turn into blood, even the water stored in wooden bowls and stone pots in the people's homes. "20 So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. As Pharaoh and all of his officials watched, Aaron raised his staff and hit the water of the Nile. Suddenly, the whole river turned to blood! 21 The fish in the river died, and the water became so foul that the Egyptians couldn't drink it. There was blood everywhere throughout the land of Egypt. 22 But again the magicians of Egypt used their secret arts, and they, too, turned water into blood. So Pharaoh's heart remained hard and stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had predicted. 23 Pharaoh returned to his palace and put the whole thing out of his mind. 24 Then the Egyptians dug wells along the riverbank to get drinking water, for they couldn't drink from the river. 25 An entire week passed from the time the LORD turned the water of the Nile to blood.


Then Peter came to him and asked," Lord, how often should I forgive someone *who sins against me? Seven times? "22" No! "Jesus replied," seventy times seven! 23 "For this reason, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn't pay, so the king ordered that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. 26 But the man fell down before the king and begged him, `Oh, sir, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.' 27 Then the king was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. 28" But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. 29 His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. `Be patient and I will pay it, 'he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn't wait. He had the man arrested and jailed until the debt could be paid in full. 31 "When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him what had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, `You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison until he had paid every penny. 35" That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters *in your heart. "19:1 AFTER Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went southward to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. 2 Vast crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick. 3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question:" Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for any reason? "4" Haven't you read the Scriptures? "Jesus replied." They record that from the beginning `God made them male and female. '5 And he said, `This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together. "7" Then why did Moses say a man could merely write an official letter of divorce and send her away? "they asked. 8 Jesus replied," Moses permitted divorce as a concession to your hardhearted wickedness, but it was not what God had originally intended. 9 And I tell you this, a man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery-- unless his wife has been unfaithful. "10 Jesus 'disciples then said to him," Then it is better not to marry! "11" Not everyone can accept this statement, "Jesus said." Only those whom God helps. 12 Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made that way by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone who can, accept this statement. "


A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You welcome me as a guest,
anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD
forever.


An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self- control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly