February 17 Reading through the Bible

 

LEVITICUS 4:1-5:19
MARK 2:13-3:6
PSALM 36:1-12
PROVERBS 10:1-2

LEVITICUS 4:1-5:19
Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 " Give the Israelites the following instructions for dealing with those who sin unintentionally by doing anything forbidden by the LORD's commands. 3 " If the high priest sins, bringing guilt upon the entire community, he must bring to the LORD a young bull with no physical defects. 4 He must present the bull to the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle, lay his hand on the bull's head, and slaughter it there in the LORD's presence. 5 The priest on duty will then take some of the animal's blood into the Tabernacle, 6 dip his finger into the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place. 7 The priest will put some of the blood on the horns of the incense altar that stands in the LORD's presence in the Tabernacle. The rest of the bull's blood must be poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 8 The priest must remove all the fat around the bull's internal organs, 9 the two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver. 10 Then he must burn them on the altar of burnt offerings, just as is done with the bull or cow sacrificed as a peace offering. 11 But the rest of the bull--its hide, meat, head, legs, internal organs, and dung--12 must be carried away to a ceremonially clean place outside the camp, the place where the ashes are thrown. He will burn it all on a wood fire in the ash heap. 13 " If the entire Israelite community does something forbidden by the LORD and the matter escapes the community's notice, all the people will be guilty. 14 When they discover their sin, the leaders of the community must bring a young bull for a sin offering and present it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 15 The leaders must then lay their hands on the bull's head and slaughter it there before the LORD. 16 The priest will bring some of its blood into the Tabernacle, 17 dip his finger into the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the inner curtain. 18 He will then put some of the blood on the horns of the incense altar that stands in the LORD's presence in the Tabernacle. The rest of the blood must then be poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 19 The priest must remove all the animal's fat and burn it on the altar, 20 following the same procedure as with the sin offering for the priest. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the people, and they will be forgiven. 21 The priest must then take what is left of the bull outside the camp and burn it there, just as is done with the sin offering for the high priest. This is a sin offering for the entire community of Israel. 22 " If one of Israel's leaders does something forbidden by the LORD his God, he will be guilty even if he sinned unintentionally. 23 When he becomes aware of his sin, he must bring as his offering a male goat with no physical defects. 24 He is to lay his hand on the goat's head and slaughter it before the LORD at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. This will be his sin offering. 25 Then the priest will dip his finger into the blood of the sin offering, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 26 He must burn all the goat's fat on the altar, just as is done with the peace offering. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the leader's sin, and he will be forgiven. 27 " If any of the citizens of Israel do something forbidden by the LORD, they will be guilty even if they sinned unintentionally. 28 When they become aware of their sin, they must bring as their offering a female goat with no physical defects. It will be offered for their sin. 29 They are to lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. 30 The priest will then dip his finger into the blood, put the blood on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 31 Those who are guilty must remove all the goat's fat, just as is done with the peace offering. Then the priest will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be very pleasing to the LORD. In this way, the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. 32 " If any of the people bring a sheep as their sin offering, it must be a female with no physical defects. 33 They are to lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where the burnt offerings are slaughtered. 34 The priest will then dip his finger into the blood, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 35 Those who are guilty must remove all the sheep's fat, just as is done with a sheep presented as a peace offering. Then the priest will burn the fat on the altar on top of the offerings given to the LORD by fire. In this way, the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven.5:1 " IF any of the people are called to testify about something they have witnessed, but they refuse to testify, they will be held responsible and be subject to punishment. 2 " Or if they touch something that is ceremonially unclean, such as the dead body of an animal that is ceremonially unclean--whether a wild animal, a domesticated animal, or an animal that scurries along the ground--they will be considered ceremonially unclean and guilty, even if they are unaware of their defilement. 3 " Or if they come into contact with any source of human defilement, even if they don't realize they have been defiled, they will be considered guilty as soon as they become aware of it. 4 " Or if they make a rash vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or bad, they will be considered guilty even if they were not fully aware of what they were doing at the time. 5 " When any of the people become aware of their guilt in any of these ways, they must confess their sin 6 and bring to the LORD as their penalty a female from the flock, either a sheep or a goat. This will be a sin offering to remove their sin, and the priest will make atonement for them. 7 " If any of them cannot afford to bring a sheep, they must bring to the LORD two young turtledoves or two young pigeons as the penalty for their sin. One of the birds will be a sin offering, and the other will be a burnt offering. 8 They must bring them to the priest, who will offer one of the birds as the sin offering. The priest will wring its neck but without severing its head from the body. 9 Then he will sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering against the sides of the altar, and the rest will be drained out at the base of the altar. 10 The priest will offer the second bird as a whole burnt offering, following all the procedures that have been prescribed. In this way, the priest will make atonement for those who are guilty, and they will be forgiven. 11 " If any of the people cannot afford to bring young turtledoves or pigeons, they must bring two quarts of choice flour for their sin offering. Since it is a sin offering, they must not mix it with olive oil or put any incense on it. 12 They must take the flour to the priest, who will scoop out a handful as a token portion. He will burn this flour on the altar just like any other offering given to the LORD by fire. This will be their sin offering. 13 In this way, the priest will make atonement for those who are guilty, and they will be forgiven. The rest of the flour will belong to the priest, just as with the grain offering." 14 Then the LORD said to Moses, 15 " If any of the people sin by unintentionally defiling the LORD's sacred property, they must bring to the LORD a ram from the flock as their guilt offering. The animal must have no physical defects, and it must be of the proper value in silver as measured by the standard sanctuary shekel. 16 They must then make restitution for whatever holy things they have defiled by paying for the loss, plus an added penalty of 20 percent. When they give their payments to the priest, he will make atonement for them with the ram sacrificed as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven. 17 " If any of them sin by doing something forbidden by the LORD, even if it is done unintentionally, they will be held responsible. When they become aware of their guilt, 18 they must bring to the priest a ram from the flock as a guilt offering. The animal must have no physical defects, and it must be of the proper value. In this way, the priest will make atonement for those who are guilty, and they will be forgiven. 19 This is a guilt offering, for they have been guilty of an offense against the LORD."

MARK 2:13-3:6
Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that gathered around him. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax-collection booth. " Come, be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. 15 That night Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests, along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners. (There were many people of this kind among the crowds that followed Jesus.) 16 But when some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with people like that, they said to his disciples, " Why does he eat with such scum?" 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, " Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough." 18 John's disciples and the Pharisees sometimes fasted. One day some people came to Jesus and asked, " Why do John's disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?" 19 Jesus replied, " Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can't fast while they are with the groom. 20 But someday he will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 21 And who would patch an old garment with unshrunk cloth? For the new patch shrinks and pulls away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger hole than before. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine needs new wineskins." 23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of wheat. 24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, " They shouldn't be doing that! It's against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath." 25 But Jesus replied, " Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what King David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest), ate the special bread reserved for the priests alone, and then gave some to his companions. That was breaking the law, too." 27 Then he said to them, " The Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath. 28 And I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath!"3:1 JESUS went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. Would he heal the man's hand on the Sabbath? If he did, they planned to condemn him. 3 Jesus said to the man, " Come and stand in front of everyone." 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, " Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" But they wouldn't answer him. 5 He looked around at them angrily, because he was deeply disturbed by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, " Reach out your hand." The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again! 6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to discuss plans for killing Jesus.

PSALM 36:1-12
For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the LORD.
1 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.
They have no fear of God to restrain them.
2 In their blind conceit,
they cannot see how wicked they really are.
3 Everything they say is crooked and deceitful.
They refuse to act wisely or do what is good.
4 They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots.
Their course of action is never good.
They make no attempt to turn from evil.
5 Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O LORD.
7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.
8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your rivers of delight.
9 For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see.
10 Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you;
give justice to those with honest hearts.
11 Don't let the proud trample me;
don't let the wicked push me around.
12 Look! They have fallen!
They have been thrown down, never to rise again.

PROVERBS 10:1-2
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child> brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. Ill-gotten gain has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.

February 16 Reading through the Bible

LEVITICUS 1:1-3:17
MARK 1:29-2:12
PSALM 35:17-28
PROVERBS 9:13-18

LEVITICUS 1:1-3:17
The LORD called to Moses from the Tabernacle and said to him, 2 " Give the following instructions to the Israelites: Whenever you present offerings to the LORD, you must bring animals from your flocks and herds. 3 " If your sacrifice for a whole burnt offering is from the herd, bring a bull with no physical defects to the entrance of the Tabernacle so it will be accepted by the LORD. 4 Lay your hand on its head so the LORD will accept it as your substitute, thus making atonement for you. 5 Then slaughter the animal in the LORD's presence, and Aaron's sons, the priests, will present the blood by sprinkling it against the sides of the altar that stands in front of the Tabernacle. 6 When the animal has been skinned and cut into pieces, 7 the sons of Aaron the priest will build a wood fire on the altar. 8 Aaron's sons will then put the pieces of the animal, including its head and fat, on the wood fire. 9 But the internal organs and legs must first be washed with water. Then the priests will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. 10 " If your sacrifice for a whole burnt offering is from the flock, bring a male sheep or goat with no physical defects. 11 Slaughter the animal on the north side of the altar in the LORD's presence. Aaron's sons, the priests, will sprinkle its blood against the sides of the altar. 12 Then you must cut the animal in pieces, and the priests will lay the pieces of the sacrifice, including the head and fat, on top of the wood fire on the altar. 13 The internal organs and legs must first be washed with water. Then the priests will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. 14 " If you bring a bird as a burnt offering to the LORD, choose either a turtledove or a young pigeon. 15 The priest will take the bird to the altar, twist off its head, and burn the head on the altar. He must then let its blood drain out against the sides of the altar. 16 The priest must remove the crop and the feathers and throw them to the east side of the altar among the ashes. 17 Then, grasping the bird by its wings, the priest will tear the bird apart, though not completely. Then he will burn it on top of the wood fire on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD.2:1 " WHEN you bring a grain offering to the LORD, the offering must consist of choice flour. You are to pour olive oil on it and sprinkle it with incense. 2 Bring this offering to one of Aaron's sons, and he will take a handful of the flour mixed with olive oil, together with all the incense, and burn this token portion on the altar fire. It is an offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. 3 The rest of the flour will be given to Aaron and his sons. It will be considered a most holy part of the offerings given to the LORD by fire. 4 " When you present some kind of baked bread as a grain offering, it must be made of choice flour mixed with olive oil but without any yeast. It may be presented in the form of cakes mixed with olive oil or wafers spread with olive oil. 5 If your grain offering is cooked on a griddle, it must be made of choice flour and olive oil, and it must contain no yeast. 6 Break it into pieces and pour oil on it; it is a kind of grain offering. 7 If your offering is prepared in a pan, it also must be made of choice flour and olive oil. 8 " No matter how a grain offering has been prepared before being offered to the LORD, bring it to the priests who will present it at the altar. 9 The priests will take a token portion of the grain offering and burn it on the altar as an offering made by fire, and it will be very pleasing to the LORD. 10 The rest of the grain offering will be given to Aaron and his sons as their food. It will be considered a most holy part of the offerings given to the LORD by fire. 11 " Do not use yeast in any of the grain offerings you present to the LORD, because no yeast or honey may be burned as an offering to the LORD by fire. 12 You may add yeast and honey to the offerings presented at harvest time, but these must never be burned on the altar as an offering pleasing to the LORD. 13 Season all your grain offerings with salt, to remind you of God's covenant. Never forget to add salt to your grain offerings. 14 " If you present a grain offering to the LORD from the first portion of your harvest, bring kernels of new grain that have been roasted on a fire. 15 Since it is a grain offering, put olive oil on it and sprinkle it with incense. 16 The priests will take a token portion of the roasted grain mixed with olive oil, together with all the incense, and burn it as an offering given to the LORD by fire.3:1 " IF you want to present a peace offering from the herd, use either a bull or a cow. The animal you offer to the LORD must have no physical defects. 2 Lay your hand on the animal's head, and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Aaron's sons, the priests, will then sprinkle the animal's blood against the sides of the altar. 3 Part of this peace offering must be presented to the LORD as an offering made by fire. This includes the fat around the internal organs, 4 the two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys. 5 The sons of Aaron will burn these on the altar on top of the burnt offering on the wood fire. It is an offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. 6 " If you present a peace offering to the LORD from the flock, you may bring either a goat or a sheep. It may be either male or female, and it must have no physical defects. 7 If you bring a sheep as your gift, present it to the LORD 8 by laying your hand on its head and slaughtering it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The sons of Aaron will then sprinkle the sheep's blood against the sides of the altar. 9 Part of this peace offering must be presented to the LORD as an offering made by fire. This includes the fat of the entire tail cut off near the backbone, the fat around the internal organs, 10 the two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys. 11 The priest will burn them on the altar as food, an offering given to the LORD by fire. 12 " If you bring a goat as your offering to the LORD, 13 lay your hand on its head, and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Then the sons of Aaron will sprinkle the goat's blood against the sides of the altar. 14 Part of this offering must be presented to the LORD as an offering made by fire. This part includes the fat around the internal organs, 15 the two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys. 16 The priest will burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire; these will be very pleasing to the LORD. Remember, all the fat belongs to the LORD. 17 " You must never eat any fat or blood. This is a permanent law for you and all your descendants, wherever they may live."

MARK 1:29-2:12
After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they went over to Simon and Andrew's home, and James and John were with them. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 He went to her bedside, and as he took her by the hand and helped her to sit up, the fever suddenly left, and she got up and prepared a meal for them. 32 That evening at sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 And a huge crowd of people from all over Capernaum gathered outside the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed great numbers of sick people who had many different kinds of diseases, and he ordered many demons to come out of their victims. But because they knew who he was, he refused to allow the demons to speak. 35 The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 They said, " Everyone is asking for you." 38 But he replied, " We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came." 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and expelling demons from many people. 40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. " If you want to, you can make me well again," he said. 41 Moved with pity, Jesus touched him. " I want to," he said. " Be healed!" 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared--the man was healed. 43 Then Jesus sent him on his way and told him sternly, 44 " Go right over to the priest and let him examine you. Don't talk to anyone along the way. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy, so everyone will have proof of your healing." 45 But as the man went on his way, he spread the news, telling everyone what had happened to him. As a result, such crowds soon surrounded Jesus that he couldn't enter a town anywhere publicly. He had to stay out in the secluded places, and people from everywhere came to him there.2:1 SEVERAL days later Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news of his arrival spread quickly through the town. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn't room for one more person, not even outside the door. And he preached the word to them. 3 Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn't get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, " My son, your sins are forgiven." 6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there said to themselves, 7 " What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins!" 8 Jesus knew what they were discussing among themselves, so he said to them, " Why do you think this is blasphemy? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, ` Your sins are forgiven' or ` Get up, pick up your mat, and walk'? 10 I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 " Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!" 12 The man jumped up, took the mat, and pushed his way through the stunned onlookers. Then they all praised God. " We've never seen anything like this before!" they exclaimed.

PSALM 35:17-28
How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
Protect my life from these lions!
18 Then I will thank you in front of the entire congregation.
I will praise you before all the people.
19 Don't let my treacherous enemies
rejoice over my defeat.
Don't let those who hate me without cause
gloat over my sorrow.
20 They don't talk of peace;
they plot against innocent people
who are minding their own business.
21 They shout that they have seen me doing wrong.
" Aha," they say. " Aha!
With our own eyes we saw him do it!"
22 O LORD, you know all about this.
Do not stay silent.
Don't abandon me now, O Lord.
23 Wake up! Rise to my defense!
Take up my case, my God and my Lord.
24 Declare me " not guilty," O LORD my God, for you give justice.
Don't let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.
25 Don't let them say, " Look! We have what we wanted!
Now we will eat him alive!"
26 May those who rejoice at my troubles
be humiliated and disgraced.
May those who triumph over me
be covered with shame and dishonor.
27 But give great joy to those
who have stood with me in my defense.
Let them continually say, " Great is the LORD,
who enjoys helping his servant."
28 Then I will tell everyone of your justice and goodness,
and I will praise you all day long.

PROVERBS 9:13-18

The woman named Folly is loud and brash. She is ignorant and doesn't even know it. She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. " Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, " Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!" But the men don't realize that her former guests are now in the grave. 

February 15 Reading through the Bible

 

EXODUS 39:1-40:38
MARK 1:1-28
PSALM 35:1-16
PROVERBS 9:11-12

EXODUS 39:1-40:38
For the priests, the craftsmen made beautiful garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth--clothing to be worn while ministering in the Holy Place. This same cloth was used for Aaron's sacred garments, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 2 The ephod was made from fine linen cloth and embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 3 A skilled craftsman made gold thread by beating gold into thin sheets and cutting it into fine strips. He then embroidered it into the linen with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 4 They made two shoulder-pieces for the ephod, which were attached to its corners so it could be tied down. 5 They also made an elaborate woven sash of the same materials: fine linen cloth; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; and gold thread, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 6 The two onyx stones, attached to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, were set in gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as initials are engraved on a seal. 7 These stones served as reminders to the LORD concerning the people of Israel. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 8 The chestpiece was made in the same style as the ephod, crafted from fine linen cloth and embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 9 It was doubled over to form a pouch, nine inches square. 10 Four rows of gemstones were set across it. In the first row were a red carnelian, a chrysolite, and an emerald. 11 In the second row were a turquoise, a sapphire, and a white moonstone. 12 In the third row were a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst. 13 In the fourth row were a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Each of these gemstones was set in gold. 14 The stones were engraved like a seal, each with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. 15 To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, they made braided cords of pure gold. 16 They also made two gold rings and attached them to the top corners of the chestpiece. 17 The two gold cords were put through the gold rings on the chestpiece, 18 and the ends of the cords were tied to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod. 19 Two more gold rings were attached to the lower inside corners of the chestpiece next to the ephod. 20 Then two gold rings were attached to the ephod near the sash. 21 Blue cords were used to attach the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod. In this way, the chestpiece was held securely to the ephod above the beautiful sash. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 22 The robe of the ephod was woven entirely of blue yarn, 23 with an opening for Aaron's head in the middle of it. The edge of this opening was reinforced with a woven collar, so it would not tear. 24 Pomegranates were attached to the bottom edge of the robe. These were finely crafted of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 25 Bells of pure gold were placed between the pomegranates along the hem of the robe, 26 with bells and pomegranates alternating all around the hem. This robe was to be worn when Aaron ministered to the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 27 Tunics were then made for Aaron and his sons from fine linen cloth. 28 The turban, the headdresses, and the underclothes were all made of this fine linen. 29 The sashes were made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 30 Finally, they made the sacred medallion of pure gold to be worn on the front of the turban. Using the techniques of an engraver, they inscribed it with these words: SET APART AS HOLY TO THE LORD. 31 This medallion was tied to the turban with a blue cord, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 32 And so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 33 And they brought the entire Tabernacle to Moses: the sacred tent with all its furnishings, the clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases; 34 the layers of tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; the inner curtain that enclosed the Most Holy Place; 35 the Ark of the Covenant and its carrying poles; the Ark's cover--the place of atonement; 36 the table and all its utensils; the Bread of the Presence; 37 the gold lampstand and its accessories; the lamp cups and the oil for lighting; 38 the gold altar; the anointing oil; the fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent; 39 the bronze altar; the bronze grating; its poles and utensils; the large washbasin and its pedestal; 40 the curtains for the walls of the courtyard and the posts and bases holding them up; the curtain at the courtyard entrance; the cords and tent pegs; all the articles used in the operation of the Tabernacle; 41 the beautifully crafted garments to be worn while ministering in the Holy Place--the holy garments for Aaron the priest and for his sons to wear while on duty.42 So the people of Israel followed all of the LORD's instructions to Moses. 43 Moses inspected all their work and blessed them because it had been done as the LORD had commanded him. 40:1 THE LORD now said to Moses, 2 " Set up the Tabernacle on the first day of the new year. 3 Place the Ark of the Covenant inside, and install the inner curtain to enclose the Ark within the Most Holy Place. 4 Then bring in the table, and arrange the utensils on it. And bring in the lampstand, and set up the lamps. 5 " Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain, opposite the Ark of the Covenant. Set up the curtain made for the entrance of the Tabernacle. 6 Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the Tabernacle entrance. 7 Set the large washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar and fill it with water. 8 Then set up the courtyard around the outside of the tent, and hang the curtain for the courtyard entrance. 9 " Take the anointing oil and sprinkle it on the Tabernacle and on all its furnishings to make them holy. 10 Sprinkle the anointing oil on the altar of burnt offering and its utensils, sanctifying them. Then the altar will become most holy. 11 Next anoint the large washbasin and its pedestal to make them holy. 12 " Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water. 13 Clothe Aaron with the holy garments and anoint him, setting him apart to serve me as a priest. 14 Then bring his sons and dress them in their tunics. 15 Anoint them as you did their father, so they may serve me as priests. With this anointing, Aaron's descendants are set apart for the priesthood forever, from generation to generation." 16 Moses proceeded to do everything as the LORD had commanded him. 17 So the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the new year. 18 Moses put it together by setting its frames into their bases and attaching the crossbars and raising the posts. 19 Then he spread the coverings over the Tabernacle framework and put on the roof layers, just as the LORD had commanded him. 20 He placed inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, and then he attached the Ark's carrying poles. He also set the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--on top of it. 21 Then he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tabernacle and set up the inner curtain to shield it from view, just as the LORD had commanded. 22 Next he placed the table in the Tabernacle, along the north side of the Holy Place, just outside the inner curtain. 23 And he arranged the Bread of the Presence on the table that stands before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded. 24 He set the lampstand in the Tabernacle across from the table on the south side of the Holy Place. 25 Then he set up the lamps in the LORD's presence, just as the LORD had commanded. 26 He also placed the incense altar in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Place in front of the inner curtain. 27 On it he burned the fragrant incense made from sweet spices, just as the LORD had commanded.28 He attached the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle, 29 and he placed the altar of burnt offering near the Tabernacle entrance. On it he offered a burnt offering and a grain offering, just as the LORD had commanded. 30 Next he placed the large washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar. He filled it with water so the priests could use it to wash themselves. 31 Moses and Aaron and Aaron's sons washed their hands and feet in the basin. 32 Whenever they walked past the altar to enter the Tabernacle, they were to stop and wash, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 33 Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work. 34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of the LORD filled it. 35 Moses was no longer able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the LORD. 36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle and moved, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud stayed, they would stay until it moved again. 38 The cloud of the LORD rested on the Tabernacle during the day, and at night there was fire in the cloud so all the people of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

MARK 1:1-28
Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. 2 In the book of the prophet Isaiah, God said, " Look, I am sending my messenger before you,
and he will prepare your way.
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness:
` Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming!
Make a straight road for him!'"
4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He lived in the wilderness and was preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 5 People from Jerusalem and from all over Judea traveled out into the wilderness to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6 His clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey. 7 He announced: " Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am--so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" 9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and he was baptized by John in the Jordan River. 10 And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven saying, " You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." 12 Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness. 13 He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. 14 Later on, after John was arrested by Herod Antipas, Jesus went to Galilee to preach God's Good News. 15 " At last the time has come!" he announced. " The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!" 16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother, Andrew, fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen. 17 Jesus called out to them, " Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!" 18 And they left their nets at once and went with him. 19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee's sons, James and John, in a boat mending their nets. 20 He called them, too, and immediately they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men and went with him.21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum, and every Sabbath day he went into the synagogue and taught the people. 22 They were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority--quite unlike the teachers of religious law. 23 A man possessed by an evil spirit was in the synagogue, 24 and he began shouting, " Why are you bothering us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One sent from God!" 25 Jesus cut him short. " Be silent! Come out of the man." 26 At that, the evil spirit screamed and threw the man into a convulsion, but then he left him. 27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. " What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. " It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!" 28 The news of what he had done spread quickly through that entire area of Galilee.

PSALM 35:1-16
A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, oppose those who oppose me.
Declare war on those who are attacking me.
2 Put on your armor, and take up your shield.
Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.
3 Lift up your spear and javelin
and block the way of my enemies.
Let me hear you say,
" I am your salvation!"
4 Humiliate and disgrace those trying to kill me;
turn them back in confusion.
5 Blow them away like chaff in the wind--
a wind sent by the angel of the LORD.
6 Make their path dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Although I did them no wrong,
they laid a trap for me.
Although I did them no wrong,
they dug a pit for me.
8 So let sudden ruin overtake them!
Let them be caught in the snare they set for me!
Let them fall to destruction in the pit they dug for me.
9 Then I will rejoice in the LORD.
I will be glad because he rescues me.
10 I will praise him from the bottom of my heart:
" LORD, who can compare with you?
Who else rescues the weak and helpless from the strong?
Who else protects the poor and needy from those who want to rob them?"
11 Malicious witnesses testify against me.
They accuse me of things I don't even know about.
12 They repay me with evil for the good I do.
I am sick with despair.
13 Yet when they were ill,
I grieved for them.
I even fasted and prayed for them,
but my prayers returned unanswered.
14 I was sad, as though they were my friends or family,
as if I were grieving for my own mother.
15 But they are glad now that I am in trouble;
they gleefully join together against me.
I am attacked by people I don't even know;
they hurl slander at me continually.
16 They mock me with the worst kind of profanity,
and they snarl at me.

PROVERBS 9:11-12
Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

February 14 Reading through the Bible

 

EXODUS 37:1-38:31
MATTHEW 28:1-20
PSALM 34:11-22
PROVERBS 9:9-10

EXODUS 37:1-38:31
Next Bezalel made the Ark out of acacia wood. It was 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet high. 2 It was overlaid with pure gold inside and out, and it had a molding of gold all the way around. 3 Four gold rings were fastened to its four feet, two rings at each side. 4 Then he made poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 He put the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 6 Then, from pure gold, he made the Ark's cover--the place of atonement. It was 3 feet long and 2 feet wide. 7 He made two figures of cherubim out of hammered gold and placed them at the two ends of the atonement cover. 8 They were made so they were actually a part of the atonement cover--it was all one piece. 9 The cherubim faced each other as they looked down on the atonement cover, and their wings were stretched out above the atonement cover to protect it. 10 Then he made a table out of acacia wood, 3 feet long, 1 feet wide, and 2 feet high. 11 It was overlaid with pure gold, with a gold molding all around the edge. 12 A rim about 3 inches wide was attached along the edges of the table, and a gold molding ran around the rim. 13 Then he cast four rings of gold and attached them to the four table legs 14 next to the rim. These were made to hold the carrying poles in place. 15 He made the carrying poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 16 Next, using pure gold, he made the plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers to be placed on the table. These utensils were to be used in pouring out drink offerings. 17 Then he made the lampstand, again using pure, hammered gold. Its base, center stem, lamp cups, blossoms, and buds were all of one piece. 18 The lampstand had six branches, three going out from each side of the center stem. 19 Each of the six branches held a cup shaped like an almond blossom, complete with buds and petals. 20 The center stem of the lampstand was also decorated with four almond blossoms. 21 One blossom was set beneath each pair of branches, where they extended from the center stem. 22 The decorations and branches were all one piece with the stem, and they were hammered from pure gold. 23 He also made the seven lamps, the lamp snuffers, and the trays, all of pure gold. 24 The entire lampstand, along with its accessories, was made from seventy-five pounds of pure gold.25 The incense altar was made of acacia wood. It was eighteen inches square and three feet high, with its corner horns made from the same piece of wood as the altar itself. 26 He overlaid the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold and ran a gold molding around the edge. 27 Two gold rings were placed on opposite sides, beneath the molding, to hold the carrying poles. 28 The carrying poles were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. 29 Then he made the sacred oil, for anointing the priests, and the fragrant incense, using the techniques of the most skilled incense maker.38:1 THE altar for burning animal sacrifices also was constructed of acacia wood. It was 7 feet square at the top and 4 feet high. 2 There were four horns, one at each of the four corners, all of one piece with the rest. This altar was overlaid with bronze. 3 Then he made all the bronze utensils to be used with the altar--the ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat hooks, and firepans. 4 Next he made a bronze grating that rested on a ledge about halfway down into the firebox. 5 Four rings were cast for each side of the grating to support the carrying poles. 6 The carrying poles themselves were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with bronze. 7 These poles were inserted into the rings at the side of the altar. The altar was hollow and was made from planks. 8 The bronze washbasin and its bronze pedestal were cast from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 9 Then he constructed the courtyard. The south wall was 150 feet long. It consisted of curtains made of fine linen. 10 There were twenty posts, each with its own bronze base, and there were silver hooks and rods to hold up the curtains. 11 The north wall was also 150 feet long, with twenty bronze posts and bases and with silver hooks and rods. 12 The west end was 75 feet wide. The walls were made from curtains supported by ten posts and bases and with silver hooks and rods. 13 The east end was also 75 feet wide. 14 The courtyard entrance was on the east side, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side was 22 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases. 15 The curtain on the left side was also 22 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases. 16 All the curtains used in the courtyard walls were made of fine linen. 17 Each post had a bronze base, and all the hooks and rods were silver. The tops of the posts were overlaid with silver, and the rods to hold up the curtains were solid silver.18 The curtain that covered the entrance to the courtyard was made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It was 30 feet long and 7 feet high, just like the curtains of the courtyard walls. 19 It was supported by four posts set into four bronze bases. The tops of the posts were overlaid with silver, and the hooks and rods were also made of silver. 20 All the tent pegs used in the Tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze. 21 Here is an inventory of the materials used in building the Tabernacle of the Covenant. Moses directed the Levites to compile the figures, and Ithamar son of Aaron the priest served as recorder. 22 Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, was in charge of the whole project, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 23 He was assisted by Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman expert at engraving, designing, and embroidering blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth.24 The people brought gifts of gold totaling about 2,200 pounds, all of which was used throughout the Tabernacle. 25 The amount of silver that was given was about 7,545 pounds. 26 It came from the tax of one-fifth of an ounce of silver collected from each of those registered in the census. This included all the men who were twenty years old or older, 603,550 in all. 27 The 100 bases for the frames of the sanctuary walls and for the posts supporting the inner curtain required 7,500 pounds of silver, about 75 pounds for each base. 28 The rest of the silver, about 45 pounds, was used to make the rods and hooks and to overlay the tops of the posts. 29 The people also brought 5,310 pounds of bronze, 30 which was used for casting the bases for the posts at the entrance to the Tabernacle, and for the bronze altar with its bronze grating and altar utensils. 31 Bronze was also used to make the bases for the posts that supported the curtains around the courtyard, the bases for the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard, and all the tent pegs used to hold the curtains of the courtyard in place.

MATTHEW 28:1-20
Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. " Don't be afraid!" he said. " I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember, I have told you." 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel's message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them. " Greetings!" he said. And they ran to him, held his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, " Don't be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there." 11 As the women were on their way into the city, some of the men who had been guarding the tomb went to the leading priests and told them what had happened. 12 A meeting of all the religious leaders was called, and they decided to bribe the soldiers. 13 They told the soldiers, " You must say, ` Jesus' disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.' 14 If the governor hears about it, we'll stand up for you and everything will be all right." 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. 16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him--but some of them still doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, " I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

PSALM 34:11-22
Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the LORD.
12 Do any of you want to live
a life that is long and good?
13 Then watch your tongue!
Keep your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
15 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous face many troubles,
but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.
20 For the LORD protects them from harm--
not one of their bones* will be broken!
21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.
Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.

PROVERBS 9:9-10
Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more. Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowing the Holy One results in understanding.

February 13 Reading through the Bible

 

EXODUS 35:10-36:38
MATTHEW 27:32-66
PSALM 34:1-10
PROVERBS 9:7-8

EXODUS 35:10-36:38
" Come, all of you who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything that the LORD has commanded: 11 the entire Tabernacle, including the sacred tent and its coverings, the clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases; 12 the Ark and its poles; the Ark's cover--the place of atonement; the inner curtain to enclose the Ark in the Most Holy Place; 13 the table, its carrying poles, and all of its utensils; the Bread of the Presence; 14 the lampstand and its accessories; the lamp cups and the oil for lighting; 15 the incense altar and its carrying poles; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the Tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering; the bronze grating of the altar and its carrying poles and utensils; the large washbasin with its pedestal; 17 the curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; 18 the tent pegs of the Tabernacle and courtyard and their cords; 19 the beautifully stitched clothing for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place; the sacred garments for Aaron and his sons to wear while officiating as priests." 20 So all the people left Moses and went to their tents to prepare their gifts. 21 If their hearts were stirred and they desired to do so, they brought to the LORD their offerings of materials for the Tabernacle and its furnishings and for the holy garments. 22 Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. Some brought to the LORD their offerings of gold--medallions, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind to the LORD. 23 Others brought blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, or goat hair for cloth. Some gave tanned ram skins or fine goatskin leather. 24 Others brought silver and bronze objects as their offering to the LORD. And those who had acacia wood brought it. 25 All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen cloth, and they brought them in. 26 All the women who were willing used their skills to spin and weave the goat hair into cloth. 27 The leaders brought onyx stones and the other gemstones to be used for the ephod and the chestpiece. 28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light, the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense. 29 So the people of Israel--every man and woman who wanted to help in the work the LORD had given them through Moses--brought their offerings to the LORD. 30 And Moses told them, " The LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. 32 He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. 33 He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. In fact, he has every necessary skill. 34 And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. 35 The LORD has given them special skills as jewelers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth. They excel in all the crafts needed for the work.36:1 " BEZALEL, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen whom the LORD has gifted with wisdom, skill, and intelligence will construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the LORD has commanded." 2 So Moses told Bezalel and Oholiab to begin the work, along with all those who were specially gifted by the LORD. 3 Moses gave them the materials donated by the people for the completion of the sanctuary. Additional gifts were brought each morning. 4 But finally the craftsmen left their work to meet with Moses. 5 " We have more than enough materials on hand now to complete the job the LORD has given us to do!" they exclaimed. 6 So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: " Bring no more materials! You have already given more than enough." So the people stopped bringing their offerings. 7 Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project. 8 The skilled weavers first made ten sheets from fine linen. One of the craftsmen then embroidered blue, purple, and scarlet cherubim into them. 9 Each sheet was exactly the same size--forty-two feet long and six feet wide. 10 Five of these sheets were joined together to make one set, and a second set was made of the other five. 11 Fifty blue loops were placed along the edge of the last sheet in each set. 12 The fifty loops along the edge of the first set of sheets matched the loops along the edge of the second set. 13 Then fifty gold clasps were made to connect the loops on the edge of each set. Thus the Tabernacle was joined together in one piece. 14 Above the Tabernacle, a roof covering was made from eleven sheets of cloth made from goat hair. 15 Each sheet was exactly the same size--forty-five feet long and six feet wide. 16 The craftsmen joined five of these sheets together to make one set, and the six remaining sheets were joined to make a second set. 17 Then they made fifty loops along the edge of the last sheet in each set. 18 They also made fifty small bronze clasps to couple the loops, so the two sets of sheets were firmly attached to each other. In this way, the roof covering was joined together in one piece. 19 Then they made two more layers for the roof covering. The first was made of tanned ram skins, and the second was made of fine goatskin leather. 20 For the framework of the Tabernacle, they made frames of acacia wood standing on end. 21 Each frame was 15 feet high and 2 feet wide. 22 There were two pegs on each frame so they could be joined to the next frame. All the frames were made this way. 23 They made twenty frames to support the south side, 24 along with forty silver bases, two for each frame. 25 They also made twenty frames for the north side of the Tabernacle, 26 along with forty silver bases, two for each frame. 27 The west side of the Tabernacle, which was its rear, was made from six frames, 28 plus an extra frame at each corner. 29 These corner frames were connected at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single unit from top to bottom. They made two of these, one for each rear corner. 30 So for the west side they made a total of eight frames, along with sixteen silver bases, two for each frame. 31 Then they made five crossbars from acacia wood to tie the frames on the south side together. 32 They made another five for the north side and five for the west side. 33 The middle crossbar of the five was halfway up the frames, along each side, running from one end to the other. 34 The frames and crossbars were all overlaid with gold. The rings used to hold the crossbars were made of pure gold. 35 The inner curtain was made of fine linen cloth, and cherubim were skillfully embroidered into it with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 36 This curtain was then attached to four gold hooks set into four posts of acacia wood. The posts were overlaid with gold and set into four silver bases. 37 Then they made another curtain for the entrance to the sacred tent. It was made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 38 This curtain was connected by five hooks to five posts. The posts with their decorated tops and bands were overlaid with gold. The five bases were molded from bronze.

MATTHEW 27:32-66
As they [the soldiers] were on the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross. 33 Then they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means Skull Hill). 34 The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. 35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A signboard was fastened to the cross above Jesus' head, announcing the charge against him. It read: " This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." 38 Two criminals were crucified with him, their crosses on either side of his. 39 And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 " So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!" 41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders also mocked Jesus. 42 " He saved others," they scoffed, " but he can't save himself! So he is the king of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God--let God show his approval by delivering him! For he said, ` I am the Son of God.' " 44 And the criminals who were crucified with him also shouted the same insults at him. 45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. 46 At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, " Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, " My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a stick so he could drink. 49 But the rest said, " Leave him alone. Let's see whether Elijah will come and save him." 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead 53 after Jesus' resurrection. They left the cemetery, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. 54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, " Truly, this was the Son of God!" 55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and Zebedee's wife, the mother of James and John.57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who was one of Jesus' followers, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance as he left. 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting nearby watching. 62 The next day--on the first day of the Passover ceremonies--the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 They told him, " Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ` After three days I will be raised from the dead.' 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he came back to life! If that happens, we'll be worse off than we were at first." 65 Pilate replied, " Take guards and secure it the best you can." 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

PSALM 34:1-10
A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.
1 I will praise the LORD at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the LORD;
let all who are discouraged take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
7 For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
9 Let the LORD's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.

PROVERBS 9:7-8
Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get a smart retort. Anyone who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. So don't bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all the more.

February 12 Reading through the Bible

 

EXODUS 34:1-35:9
MATTHEW 27:15-31
PSALM 33:12-22
PROVERBS 9:1-6

EXODUS 34:1-35:9
The LORD told Moses, " Prepare two stone tablets like the first ones. I will write on them the same words that were on the tablets you smashed. 2 Be ready in the morning to come up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me there on the top of the mountain. 3 No one else may come with you. In fact, no one is allowed anywhere on the mountain. Do not even let the flocks or herds graze near the mountain." 4 So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first ones. Early in the morning he climbed Mount Sinai as the LORD had told him, carrying the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and called out his own name, " the LORD," as Moses stood there in his presence. 6 He passed in front of Moses and said, " I am the LORD, I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness. 7 I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations." 8 Moses immediately fell to the ground and worshiped. 9 And he said, " If it is true that I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, then please go with us. Yes, this is an unruly and stubborn people, but please pardon our iniquity and our sins. Accept us as your own special possession." 10 The LORD replied, " All right. This is the covenant I am going to make with you. I will perform wonders that have never been done before anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the LORD--the awesome power I will display through you. 11 Your responsibility is to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then I will surely drive out all those who stand in your way--the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 12 " Be very careful never to make treaties with the people in the land where you are going. If you do, you soon will be following their evil ways. 13 Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash the sacred pillars they worship, and cut down their carved images. 14 You must worship no other gods, but only the LORD, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you. 15 " Do not make treaties of any kind with the people living in the land. They are spiritual prostitutes, committing adultery against me by sacrificing to their gods. If you make peace with them, they will invite you to go with them to worship their gods, and you are likely to do it. 16 And you will accept their daughters, who worship other gods, as wives for your sons. Then they will cause your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods. 17 You must make no gods for yourselves at all. 18 " Be sure to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days, just as I instructed you, at the appointed time each year in early spring, for that was when you left Egypt. 19 " Every firstborn male belongs to me--of both cattle and sheep. 20 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, you must kill the donkey by breaking its neck. However, you must redeem every firstborn son. No one is allowed to appear before me without a gift. 21 " Six days are set aside for work, but on the Sabbath day you must rest, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest. 22 And you must remember to celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first crop of the wheat harvest, and celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season. 23 Three times each year all the men of Israel must appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel. 24 No one will attack and conquer your land when you go to appear before the LORD your God those three times each year. I will drive out the nations that stand in your way and will enlarge your boundaries. 25 " You must not offer bread made with yeast as a sacrifice to me. And none of the meat of the Passover lamb may be kept over until the following morning. 26 You must bring the best of the first of each year's crop to the house of the LORD your God. " You must not cook a young goat in its mother's milk." 27 And the LORD said to Moses, " Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of my covenant with you and with Israel." 28 Moses was up on the mountain with the LORD forty days and forty nights. In all that time he neither ate nor drank. At that time he wrote the terms of the covenant--the Ten Commandments--on the stone tablets. 29 When Moses came down the mountain carrying the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn't aware that his face glowed because he had spoken to the LORD face to face. 30 And when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses' face, they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them and asked Aaron and the community leaders to come over and talk with him. 32 Then all the people came, and Moses gave them the instructions the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he removed the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the LORD had given him, 35 and the people would see his face aglow. Afterward he would put the veil on again until he returned to speak with the LORD.35:1 NOW Moses called a meeting of all the people and told them, " You must obey these instructions from the LORD. 2 Each week, work for six days only. The seventh day is a day of total rest, a holy day that belongs to the LORD. Anyone who works on that day will die. 3 Do not even light fires in your homes on that day." 4 Then Moses said to all the people, " This is what the LORD has commanded. 5 Everyone is invited to bring these offerings to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goat hair for cloth; 7 tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; 8 olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; 9 onyx stones, and other stones to be set in the ephod and the chestpiece."

MATTHEW 27:15-31
Now it was the governor's custom to release one prisoner to the crowd each year during the Passover celebration--anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious criminal in prison, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate's house that morning, he asked them, " Which one do you want me to release to you--Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" 18 (He knew very well that the Jewish leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: " Leave that innocent man alone, because I had a terrible nightmare about him last night." 20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and other leaders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So when the governor asked again, " Which of these two do you want me to release to you?" the crowd shouted back their reply: " Barabbas!" 22 " But if I release Barabbas," Pilate asked them, " what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" And they all shouted, " Crucify him!" 23 " Why?" Pilate demanded. " What crime has he committed?" But the crowd only roared the louder, " Crucify him!" 24 Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, " I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is yours!" 25 And all the people yelled back, " We will take responsibility for his death--we and our children!"26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him. 27 Some of the governor's soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire battalion. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, " Hail! King of the Jews!" 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and beat him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

PSALM 33:12-22
What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD,
whose people he has chosen for his own.
13 The LORD looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--
for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18 But the LORD watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.
20 We depend on the LORD alone to save us.
Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we are trusting in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD,
for our hope is in you alone.

PROVERBS 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her spacious house with seven pillars. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. " Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, " Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise."

February 11 Reading through the Bible

 

EXODUS 32:1-33:23
MATTHEW 26:69-27:14
PSALM 33:1-11
PROVERBS 8:33-36

EXODUS 32:1-33:23
When Moses failed to come back down the mountain right away, the people went to Aaron. " Look," they said, " make us some gods who can lead us. This man Moses, who brought us here from Egypt, has disappeared. We don't know what has happened to him." 2 So Aaron said, " Tell your wives and sons and daughters to take off their gold earrings, and then bring them to me." 3 All the people obeyed Aaron and brought him their gold earrings. 4 Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded and tooled it into the shape of a calf. The people exclaimed, " O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!" 5 When Aaron saw how excited the people were about it, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, " Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD!" 6 So the people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and indulged themselves in pagan revelry. 7 Then the LORD told Moses, " Quick! Go down the mountain! The people you brought from Egypt have defiled themselves. 8 They have already turned from the way I commanded them to live. They have made an idol shaped like a calf, and they have worshiped and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ` These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.' " 9 Then the LORD said, " I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. 10 Now leave me alone so my anger can blaze against them and destroy them all. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation instead of them."11 But Moses pleaded with the LORD his God not to do it. " O LORD!" he exclaimed. " Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and mighty acts? 12 The Egyptians will say, ` God tricked them into coming to the mountains so he could kill them and wipe them from the face of the earth.' Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you are planning against your people! 13 Remember your covenant with your servants--Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You swore by your own self, ` I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. Yes, I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants, and they will possess it forever.' " 14 So the LORD withdrew his threat and didn't bring against his people the disaster he had threatened. 15 Then Moses turned and went down the mountain. He held in his hands the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. 16 These stone tablets were God's work; the words on them were written by God himself. 17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting below them, he exclaimed to Moses, " It sounds as if there is a war in the camp!" 18 But Moses replied, " No, it's neither a cry of victory nor a cry of defeat. It is the sound of a celebration." 19 When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing. In terrible anger, he threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf they had made and melted it in the fire. And when the metal had cooled, he ground it into powder and mixed it with water. Then he made the people drink it. 21 After that, he turned to Aaron. " What did the people do to you?" he demanded. " How did they ever make you bring such terrible sin upon them?" 22 " Don't get upset, sir," Aaron replied. " You yourself know these people and what a wicked bunch they are. 23 They said to me, ` Make us some gods to lead us, for something has happened to this man Moses, who led us out of Egypt.' 24 So I told them, ` Bring me your gold earrings.' When they brought them to me, I threw them into the fire--and out came this calf!" 25 When Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control--and much to the amusement of their enemies--26 he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, " All of you who are on the LORD's side, come over here and join me." And all the Levites came. 27 He told them, " This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Strap on your swords! Go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other, killing even your brothers, friends, and neighbors." 28 The Levites obeyed Moses, and about three thousand people died that day. 29 Then Moses told the Levites, " Today you have been ordained for the service of the LORD, for you obeyed him even though it meant killing your own sons and brothers. Because of this, he will now give you a great blessing." 30 The next day Moses said to the people, " You have committed a terrible sin, but I will return to the LORD on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for you." 31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, " Alas, these people have committed a terrible sin. They have made gods of gold for themselves. 32 But now, please forgive their sin--and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping." 33 The LORD replied to Moses, " I will blot out whoever has sinned against me. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you! But when I call the people to account, I will certainly punish them for their sins." 35 And the LORD sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made.33:1 THE LORD said to Moses, " Now that you have brought these people out of Egypt, lead them to the land I solemnly promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them long ago that I would give this land to their descendants. 2 And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 3 Theirs is a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not travel along with you, for you are a stubborn, unruly people. If I did, I would be tempted to destroy you along the way." 4 When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and refused to wear their jewelry and ornaments. 5 For the LORD had told Moses to tell them, " You are an unruly, stubborn people. If I were there among you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and ornaments until I decide what to do with you." 6 So from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry. 7 It was Moses' custom to set up the tent known as the Tent of Meeting far outside the camp. Everyone who wanted to consult with the LORD would go there. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in their tent entrances. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. 9 As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at the entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses. 10 Then all the people would stand and bow low at their tent entrances. 11 Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, stayed behind in the Tent of Meeting. 12 Moses said to the LORD, " You have been telling me, ` Take these people up to the Promised Land.' But you haven't told me whom you will send with me. You call me by name and tell me I have found favor with you. 13 Please, if this is really so, show me your intentions so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do. Besides, don't forget that this nation is your very own people." 14 And the LORD replied, " I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest--everything will be fine for you." 15 Then Moses said, " If you don't go with us personally, don't let us move a step from this place. 16 If you don't go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?" 17 And the LORD replied to Moses, " I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and you are my friend." 18 Then Moses had one more request. " Please let me see your glorious presence," he said. 19 The LORD replied, " I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, ` the LORD,' to you. I will show kindness to anyone I choose, and I will show mercy to anyone I choose. 20 But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live." 21 The LORD continued, " Stand here on this rock beside me. 22 As my glorious presence passes by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed. 23 Then I will remove my hand, and you will see me from behind. But my face will not be seen."

MATTHEW 26:69-27:14
Meanwhile, as Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, a servant girl came over and said to him, " You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. " I don't know what you are talking about," he said. 71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, " This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. " I don't even know the man," he said. 73 A little later some other bystanders came over to him and said, " You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent." 74 Peter said, " I swear by God, I don't know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: " Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went away, crying bitterly.27:1 VERY early in the morning, the leading priests and other leaders met again to discuss how to persuade the Roman government to sentence Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and other leaders. 4 " I have sinned," he declared, " for I have betrayed an innocent man."" What do we care?" they retorted. " That's your problem." 5 Then Judas threw the money onto the floor of the Temple and went out and hanged himself. 6 The leading priests picked up the money. " We can't put it in the Temple treasury," they said, " since it's against the law to accept money paid for murder." 7 After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter's field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, " They took the thirty pieces of silver--
the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel--
10 and purchased the potter's field,
as the Lord directed."
11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. " Are you the King of the Jews?" the governor asked him. Jesus replied, " Yes, it is as you say." 12 But when the leading priests and other leaders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 " Don't you hear their many charges against you?" Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus said nothing, much to the governor's great surprise.

PSALM 33:1-11
Let the godly sing with joy to the LORD,
for it is fitting to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing new songs of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the LORD holds true,
and everything he does is worthy of our trust.
5 He loves whatever is just and good,
and his unfailing love fills the earth.
6 The LORD merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
7 He gave the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let everyone in the world fear the LORD,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command.
10 The LORD shatters the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes.
11 But the LORD's plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken.

PROVERBS 8:33-36
" Listen to my [wisdom's] counsel and be wise. Don't ignore it. Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the LORD. But those who miss me have injured themselves. All who hate me love death."

February 10 Reading through the Bible

 

EXODUS 30:11-31:18
MATTHEW 26:47-68
PSALM 32:1-11
PROVERBS 8:27-32

EXODUS 30:11-31:18
And the LORD said to Moses, 12 " Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD. Then there will be no plagues among the people as you count them. 13 His payment to the LORD will be one-fifth of an ounce of silver. 14 All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this offering to the LORD. 15 When this offering is given to the LORD to make atonement for yourselves, the rich must not give more, and the poor must not give less. 16 Use this money for the care of the Tabernacle. It will bring you, the Israelites, to the LORD's attention, and it will make atonement for your lives." 17 And the LORD said to Moses, 18 " Make a large bronze washbasin with a bronze pedestal. Put it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water. 19 Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there 20 before they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the LORD and before they approach the altar to burn offerings to the LORD. They must always wash before ministering in these ways, or they will die. 21 This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be kept from generation to generation."22 Then the LORD said to Moses, 23 " Collect choice spices--12 pounds of pure myrrh, 6 pounds each of cinnamon and of sweet cane, 24 12 pounds of cassia, and one gallon of olive oil. 25 Blend these ingredients into a holy anointing oil. 26 Use this scented oil to anoint the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, 27 the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and all its accessories, the incense altar, 28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the large washbasin with its pedestal. 29 Sanctify them to make them entirely holy. After this, whatever touches them will become holy. 30 Use this oil also to anoint Aaron and his sons, sanctifying them so they can minister before me as priests. 31 And say to the people of Israel, ` This will always be my holy anointing oil. 32 It must never be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you must never make any of it for yourselves. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy. 33 Anyone who blends scented oil like it or puts any of it on someone who is not a priest will be cut off from the community.' " 34 These were the LORD's instructions to Moses concerning the incense: " Gather sweet spices--resin droplets, mollusk scent, galbanum, and pure frankincense--weighing out the same amounts of each. 35 Using the usual techniques of the incense maker, refine it to produce a pure and holy incense. 36 Beat some of it very fine and put some of it in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where I will meet with you in the Tabernacle. This incense is most holy. 37 Never make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the LORD, and you must treat it as holy. 38 Those who make it for their own enjoyment will be cut off from the community."31:1 THE LORD also said to Moses, 2 " Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft! 6 " And I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make all the things I have instructed you to make: 7 the Tabernacle itself; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark's cover--the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle; 8 the table and all its utensils; the gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar; 9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin and its pedestal; 10 the beautifully stitched, holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests; 11 the anointing oil; and the special incense for the Holy Place. They must follow exactly all the instructions I have given you." 12 The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: 13 " Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. 14 Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. 15 Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. 16 The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day forever. 17 It is a permanent sign of my covenant with them. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but he rested on the seventh day and was refreshed." 18 Then as the LORD finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, written by the finger of God.

MATTHEW 26:47-68
And even as he [Jesus] said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a mob that was armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent out by the leading priests and other leaders of the people. 48 Judas had given them a prearranged signal: " You will know which one to arrest when I go over and give him the kiss of greeting." 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. " Greetings, Teacher!" he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. 50 Jesus said, " My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for." Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 One of the men with Jesus pulled out a sword and slashed off an ear of the high priest's servant. 52 " Put away your sword," Jesus told him. " Those who use the sword will be killed by the sword. 53 Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?"55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, " Am I some dangerous criminal, that you have come armed with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn't you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures." At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. 57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and other leaders had gathered. 58 Meanwhile, Peter was following far behind and eventually came to the courtyard of the high priest's house. He went in, sat with the guards, and waited to see what was going to happen to Jesus. 59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, there was no testimony they could use. Finally, two men were found 61 who declared, " This man said, ` I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' " 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, " Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, " I demand in the name of the living God that you tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God." 64 Jesus replied, " Yes, it is as you say. And in the future you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror, shouting, " Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?" " Guilty!" they shouted. " He must die!" 67 Then they spit in Jesus' face and hit him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 saying, " Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?"

PSALM 32:1-11
A psalm of David.
1 Oh, what joy for those
whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the LORD has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin,
I was weak and miserable,
and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Interlude5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide them.
I said to myself, " I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Interlude6 Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
7 For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Interlude8 The LORD says, " I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."
10 Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.
11 So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

PROVERBS 8:27-32
" I [wisdom] was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established the deep fountains of the earth. I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth's foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with what he created--his wide world and all the human family!And so, my children,> listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways."