Reading through the Word....Day 41, February 10

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


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.


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? "


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!


" 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

Reading through the Word....Day 40, February 9

EXODUS 29:1- 30:10
MATTHEW 26:14- 46
PSALM 31:19- 24
PROVERBS 8:14- 26


"This is the ceremony for the dedication of Aaron and his sons as priests:Take a young bull and two rams with no physical defects. 2 Then using fine wheat flour and no yeast, make loaves of bread, thin cakes mixed with olive oil, and wafers with oil poured over them. 3 Place these various kinds of bread in a single basket, and present them at the entrance of the Tabernacle, along with the young bull and the two rams. 4" Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water. 5 Then put Aaron's tunic on him, along with the embroidered robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, the chestpiece, and the sash. 6 And place on his head the turban with the gold medallion. 7 Then take the anointing oil and pour it over his head. 8 Next present his sons, and dress them in their tunics 9 with their woven sashes and their headdresses. They will then be priests forever. In this way, you will ordain Aaron and his sons. 10 "Then bring the young bull to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on its head. 11 You will then slaughter it in the LORD's presence at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 12 Smear some of its blood on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest at the base of the altar. 13 Take all the fat that covers the internal organs, also the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat, and burn them on the altar. 14 Then take the carcass (including the skin and the dung) outside the camp, and burn it as a sin offering. 15" Next Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the head of one of the rams 16 as it is slaughtered. Its blood will be collected and sprinkled on the sides of the altar. 17 Cut up the ram and wash off the internal organs and the legs. Set them alongside the head and the other pieces of the body, 18 and burn them all on the altar. This is a burnt offering to the LORD, which is very pleasing to him. 19 "Now take the other ram and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head 20 as it is slaughtered. Collect the blood and place some of it on the tip of the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons. Also put it on their right thumbs and the big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle the rest of the blood on the sides of the altar. 21 Then take some of the blood from the altar and mix it with some of the anointing oil. Sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their clothes. In this way, they and their clothing will be set apart as holy to the LORD. 22" Since this is the ram for the ordination of Aaron and his sons, take the fat of the ram, including the fat tail and the fat that covers the internal organs. Also, take the long lobe of the liver, the two kidneys with their fat, and the right thigh. 23 Then take one loaf of bread, one cake mixed with olive oil, and one wafer from the basket of yeastless bread that was placed before the LORD. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons to be lifted up as a special gift to the LORD. 25 Afterward take the bread from their hands, and burn it on the altar as a burnt offering that will be pleasing to the LORD. 26 Then take the breast of Aaron's ordination ram, and lift it up in the LORD's presence as a special gift to him. Afterward keep it for yourself. 27 "Set aside as holy the parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons. This includes the breast and the thigh that were lifted up before the LORD in the ordination ceremony. 28 In the future, whenever the people of Israel offer up peace offerings or thanksgiving offerings to the LORD, these parts will be the regular share of Aaron and his descendants. 29" Aaron's sacred garments must be preserved for his descendants who will succeed him, so they can be anointed and ordained in them. 30 Whoever is the next high priest after Aaron will wear these clothes for seven days before beginning to minister in the Tabernacle and the Holy Place. 31 "Take the ram used in the ordination ceremony, and boil its meat in a sacred place. 32 Aaron and his sons are to eat this meat, along with the bread in the basket, at the Tabernacle entrance. 33 They alone may eat the meat and bread used for their atonement in the ordination ceremony. The ordinary people may not eat them, for these things are set apart and holy. 34 If any of the ordination meat or bread remains until the morning, it must be burned. It may not be eaten, for it is holy. 35" This is how you will ordain Aaron and his sons to their offices. The ordination ceremony will go on for seven days. 36 Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as an offering for the atonement of sin. Afterward make an offering to cleanse the altar. Purify the altar by making atonement for it; make it holy by anointing it with oil. 37 Make atonement for the altar every day for seven days. After that, the altar will be exceedingly holy, and whatever touches it will become holy. 38 "This is what you are to offer on the altar. Offer two one- year- old lambs each day, 39 one in the morning and the other in the evening. 40 With one of them, offer two quarts of fine flour mixed with one quart of olive oil; also, offer one quart of wine as a drink offering. 41 Offer the other lamb in the evening, along with the same offerings of flour and wine as in the morning. It will be a fragrant offering to the LORD, an offering made by fire. 42" This is to be a daily burnt offering given from generation to generation. Offer it in the LORD's presence at the Tabernacle entrance, where I will meet you and speak with you. 43 I will meet the people of Israel there, and the Tabernacle will be sanctified by my glorious presence. 44 Yes, I will make the Tabernacle and the altar most holy, and I will set apart Aaron and his sons as holy, that they may be my priests. 45 I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, 46 and they will know that I am the LORD their God. I am the one who brought them out of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the LORD their God. 30:1 "THEN make a small altar out of acacia wood for burning incense. 2 It must be eighteen inches square and three feet high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar. 3 Overlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar. 4 Beneath the molding, on opposite sides of the altar, attach two gold rings to support the carrying poles. 5 The poles are to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. 6 Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain, opposite the Ark's cover-- the place of atonement-- that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. I will meet with you there. 7" Every morning when Aaron trims the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar. 8 And each evening when he tends to the lamps, he must again burn incense in the LORD's presence. This must be done from generation to generation. 9 Do not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or drink offerings. 10 "Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by placing on its horns the blood from the offering made for the atonement of sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the LORD's supremely holy altar."


Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus. 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover supper?" 18 "As you go into the city," he told them, "you will see a certain man. Tell him, `The Teacher says, My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house. '" 19 So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover supper there. 20 When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the twelve disciples. 21 While they were eating, he said, "The truth is, one of you will betray me." 22 Greatly distressed, one by one they began to ask him, "I'm not the one, am I, Lord?" 23 He replied, "One of you who is eating with me now will betray me. 24 For I, the Son of Man, must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for my betrayer. Far better for him if he had never been born!" 25 Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, "Teacher, I'm not the one, am I?" And Jesus told him, "You have said it yourself." 26 As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God's blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take it and eat it, for this is my body." 27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words-- I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom." 30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 "Tonight all of you will desert me," Jesus told them. "For the Scriptures say, `God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there." 33 Peter declared, "Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will." 34 "Peter," Jesus replied, "the truth is, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 35 "No!" Peter insisted. "Not even if I have to die with you! I will never deny you!" And all the other disciples vowed the same. 36 Then Jesus brought them to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go on ahead to pray." 37 He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled with anguish and deep distress. 38 He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me." 39 He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." 40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you stay awake and watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!" 42 Again he left them and prayed, "My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away until I drink it, your will be done." 43 He returned to them again and found them sleeping, for they just couldn't keep their eyes open. 44 So he went back to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, "Still sleeping? Still resting? Look, the time has come. I, the Son of Man, am betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let's be going. See, my betrayer is here!"


Your goodness is so great!
You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you.
You have done so much for those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.
20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
far from accusing tongues.
21 Praise the LORD,
for he has shown me his unfailing love.
He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
22 In sudden fear I had cried out,
"I have been cut off from the LORD!"
But you heard my cry for mercy
and answered my call for help.
23 Love the LORD, all you faithful ones!
For the LORD protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant.
24 So be strong and take courage,
all you who put your hope in the LORD!


"Good advice and success belong to me [wisdom]. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just laws. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments. I love all who love me. Those who search for me will surely find me. Unending riches, honor, wealth, and justice are mine to distribute. My gifts are better than the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth, for I fill their treasuries. The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. Before the mountains and the hills were formed, I was born-- before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil

Reading through the Word....Day 39, February 8

EXODUS 28:1- 43
MATTHEW 25:31- 26:13
PSALM 31:9- 18
PROVERBS 8:12- 13


"Your [Moses '] brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, will be set apart from the common people. They will be my priests and will minister to me. 2 Make special clothing for Aaron to show his separation to God-- beautiful garments that will lend dignity to his work. 3 Instruct all those who have special skills as tailors to make the garments that will set Aaron apart from everyone else, so he may serve me as a priest. 4 They are to make a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, an embroidered tunic, a turban, and a sash. They will also make special garments for Aaron's sons to wear when they serve as priests before me. 5 These items must be made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 6" The ephod must be made of fine linen cloth and skillfully embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 7 It will consist of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder- pieces. 8 And the sash will be made of the same materials:fine linen cloth embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 9 Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel. 10 Six names will be on each stone, naming all the tribes in the order of their ancestors' births. 11 Engrave these names in the same way a gemcutter engraves a seal. Mount the stones in gold settings. 12 Fasten the two stones on the shoulder- pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names before the LORD as a constant reminder. 13 The settings are to be made of gold filigree, 14 and two cords made of pure gold will be attached to the settings on the shoulders of the ephod. 15 "Then, with the most careful workmanship, make a chestpiece that will be used to determine God's will. Use the same materials as you did for the ephod:fine linen cloth embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 16 This chestpiece will be made of two folds of cloth, forming a pouch nine inches square. 17 Four rows of gemstones will be attached to it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a chrysolite, and an emerald. 18 The second row will contain a turquoise, a sapphire, and a white moonstone. 19 The third row will contain a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst. 20 The fourth row will contain a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. All these stones will be set in gold. 21 Each stone will represent one of the tribes of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it as though it were a seal. 22" To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, make braided cords of pure gold. 23 Then make two gold rings and attach them to the top corners of the chestpiece. 24 The two gold cords will go through the rings on the chestpiece, 25 and the ends of the cords will be tied to the gold settings on the shoulder- pieces of the ephod. 26 Then make two more gold rings, and attach them to the two lower inside corners of the chestpiece next to the ephod. 27 And make two more gold rings and attach them to the ephod near the sash. 28 Then attach the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. This will hold the chestpiece securely to the ephod above the beautiful sash. 29 In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the presence of the LORD in the Holy Place. Thus, the LORD will be reminded of his people continually. 30 Insert into the pocket of the chestpiece the Urim and Thummim, to be carried over Aaron's heart when he goes into the LORD's presence. Thus, Aaron will always carry the objects used to determine the LORD's will for his people whenever he goes in before the LORD. 31 "Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for Aaron's head in the middle of it. The opening will be reinforced by a woven collar so it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all the way around the hem. 35 Aaron will wear this robe whenever he enters the Holy Place to minister to the LORD, and the bells will tinkle as he goes in and out of the LORD's presence. If he wears it, he will not die. 36" Next make a medallion of pure gold. Using the techniques of an engraver, inscribe it with these words:SET APART AS HOLY TO THE LORD. 37 This medallion will be attached to the front of Aaron's turban by means of a blue cord. 38 Aaron will wear it on his forehead, thus bearing the guilt connected with any errors regarding the sacred offerings of the people of Israel. He must always wear it so the LORD will accept the people. 39 "Weave Aaron's patterned tunic from fine linen cloth. Fashion the turban out of this linen as well. Also make him an embroidered sash. 40" Then for Aaron's sons, make tunics, sashes, and headdresses to give them dignity and respect. 41 Clothe Aaron and his sons with these garments, and then anoint and ordain them. Set them apart as holy so they can serve as my priests. 42 Also make linen underclothes for them, to be worn next to their bodies, reaching from waist to thigh. 43 These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle or approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their duties. Thus they will not incur guilt and die. This law is permanent for Aaron and his descendants. "


" But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on the right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. '37 "Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' 40 And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, *you were doing it to me! '41" Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, `Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! 42 For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' 44 "Then they will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you? '45 And he will answer, `I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life." 26:1 WHEN Jesus had finished saying these things, he said to his disciples, 2 "As you know, the Passover celebration begins in two days, and I, the Son of Man, will be betrayed and crucified." 3 At that same time the leading priests and other leaders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 to discuss how to capture Jesus secretly and put him to death. 5 "But not during the Passover," they agreed, "or there will be a riot." 6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. 7 During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. 8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste of money," they said. 9 "She could have sold it for a fortune and given the money to the poor." 10 But Jesus replied, "Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory."


Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am in distress.
My sight is blurred because of my tears.
My body and soul are withering away.
10 I am dying from grief;
my years are shortened by sadness.
Misery has drained my strength;
I am wasting away from within.
11 I am scorned by all my enemies
and despised by my neighbors--
even my friends are afraid to come near me.
When they see me on the street,
they turn the other way.
12 I have been ignored as if I were dead,
as if I were a broken pot.
13 I have heard the many rumors about me,
and I am surrounded by terror.
My enemies conspire against me,
plotting to take my life.
14 But I am trusting you, O LORD,
saying, "You are my God!"
15 My future is in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
16 Let your favor shine on your servant.
In your unfailing love, save me.
17 Don't let me be disgraced,O LORD,
for I call out to you for help.
Let the wicked be disgraced;
let them lie silent in the grave.
18 May their lying lips be silenced--
those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.


"I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the LORD will hate evil. That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech

Reading through the Word....Day 38, February 7

EXODUS 26:1- 27:21
MATTHEW 25:1- 30
PSALM 31:1- 8
PROVERBS 8:1- 11


"Make the Tabernacle from ten sheets of fine linen. These sheets are to be decorated with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with figures of cherubim skillfully embroidered into them. 2 Each sheet must be forty- two feet long and six feet wide. All ten sheets must be exactly the same size. 3 Join five of these sheets together into one set; then join the other five sheets into a second set. 4 Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last sheet in each set. 5 The fifty loops along the edge of one set are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other. 6 Then make fifty gold clasps to fasten the loops of the two sets of sheets together, making the Tabernacle a single unit. 7" Make heavy sheets of cloth from goat hair to cover the Tabernacle. There must be eleven of these sheets, 8 each forty- five feet long and six feet wide. All eleven of these sheets must be exactly the same size. 9 Join five of these together into one set, and join the other six into a second set. The sixth sheet of the second set is to be doubled over at the entrance of the sacred tent. 10 Put fifty loops along the edge of the last sheet in each set, 11 and fasten them together with fifty bronze clasps. In this way, the two sets will become a single unit. 12 An extra half sheet of this roof covering will be left to hang over the back of the Tabernacle, 13 and the covering will hang down an extra eighteen inches on each side. 14 On top of these coverings place a layer of tanned ram skins, and over them put a layer of fine goatskin leather. This will complete the roof covering. 15 "The framework of the Tabernacle will consist of frames made of acacia wood. 16 Each frame must be 15 feet high and 2 feet wide. 17 There will be two pegs on each frame so they can be joined to the next frame. All the frames must be made this way. 18 Twenty of these frames will support the south side of the Tabernacle. 19 They will fit into forty silver bases-- two bases under each frame. 20 On the north side there will also be twenty of these frames, 21 with their forty silver bases, two bases for each frame. 22 On the west side there will be six frames, 23 along with an extra frame at each corner. 24 These corner frames will be connected at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single unit. Both of these corner frames will be made the same way. 25 So there will be eight frames on that end of the Tabernacle, supported by sixteen silver bases-- two bases under each frame. 26" Make crossbars of acacia wood to run across the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle 27 and five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face westward. 28 The middle crossbar, halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other. 29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to support the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well. 30 "Set up this Tabernacle according to the design you were shown on the mountain. 31" Across the inside of the Tabernacle hang a special curtain made of fine linen, with cherubim skillfully embroidered into the cloth using blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 32 Hang this inner curtain on gold hooks set into four posts made from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The posts will fit into silver bases. 33 When the inner curtain is in place, put the Ark of the Covenant behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 34 "Then put the Ark's cover-- the place of atonement-- on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table and lampstand across the room from each other outside the inner curtain. The lampstand must be placed on the south side, and the table must be set toward the north. 36" Make another curtain from fine linen for the entrance of the sacred tent, and embroider exquisite designs into it, using blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 37 Hang this curtain on gold hooks set into five posts made from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The posts will fit into five bronze bases. 27:1 "USING acacia wood, make a square altar 7 feet wide, 7 feet long, and 4 feet high. 2 Make a horn at each of the four corners of the altar so the horns and altar are all one piece. Overlay the altar and its horns with bronze. 3 The ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat hooks, and firepans will all be made of bronze. 4 Make a bronze grating, with a metal ring at each corner. 5 Fit the grating halfway down into the firebox, resting it on the ledge built there. 6 For moving the altar, make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 To carry it, put the poles into the rings at two sides of the altar. 8 The altar must be hollow, made from planks. Be careful to build it just as you were shown on the mountain. 9" Then make a courtyard for the Tabernacle, enclosed with curtains made from fine linen. On the south side the curtains will stretch for 150 feet. 10 They will be held up by twenty bronze posts that fit into twenty bronze bases. The curtains will be held up with silver hooks attached to the silver rods that are attached to the posts. 11 It will be the same on the north side of the courtyard-- 150 feet of curtains held up by twenty posts fitted into bronze bases, with silver hooks and rods. 12 The curtains on the west end of the courtyard will be 75 feet long, supported by ten posts set into ten bases. 13 The east end will also be 75 feet long. 14 The courtyard entrance will be on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side will be 22 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases. 15 The curtain on the left side will also be 22 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases. 16 "For the entrance to the courtyard, make a curtain that is 30 feet long. Fashion it from fine linen, and decorate it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It will be attached to four posts that fit into four bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard must be connected by silver rods, using silver hooks. The posts are to be set in solid bronze bases. 18 So the entire courtyard will be 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, with curtain walls 7 feet high, made from fine linen. The bases supporting its walls will be made of bronze. 19" All the articles used in the work of the Tabernacle, including all the tent pegs used to support the Tabernacle and the courtyard curtains, must be made of bronze. 20 "Tell the people of Israel to bring you pure olive oil for the lampstand, so it can be kept burning continually. 21 The lampstand will be placed outside the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons will keep the lamps burning in the LORD's presence day and night. This is a permanent law for the people of Israel, and it must be kept by all future generations."

"The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept. 6 At midnight they were roused by the shout, `Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him! '7" All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, `Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.' 9 But the others replied, `We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves. '10 "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, `Sir, open the door for us!' 12 But he called back, `I don't know you! '13" So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return. 14 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to the last-- dividing it in proportion to their abilities-- and then left on his trip. 16 The servant who received the five bags of gold began immediately to invest the money and soon doubled it. 17 The servant with two bags of gold also went right to work and doubled the money. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of gold dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money for safekeeping. 19" After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, `Sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.' 21 The master was full of praise. `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together! '22 "Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold, with the report, `Sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.' 23 The master said, `Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together! '24" Then the servant with the one bag of gold came and said, `Sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth and here it is.' 26 "But the master replied, `You wicked and lazy servant! You think I'm a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn't plant and gathering crops I didn't cultivate? 27 Well, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. 28 Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. '"


For the choir director:A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, I have come to you for protection;
don't let me be put to shame.
Rescue me, for you always do what is right.
2 Bend down and listen to me;
rescue me quickly.
Be for me a great rock of safety,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
3 You are my rock and my fortress.
For the honor of your name, lead me out of this peril.
4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,
for I find protection in you alone.
5 I entrust my spirit into your hand.
Rescue me, LORD, for you are a faithful God.
6 I hate those who worship worthless idols.
I trust in the LORD.
7 I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love,
for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not handed me over to my enemy
but have set me in a safe place.


Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! She stands on the hilltop and at the crossroads. At the entrance to the city, at the city gates, she cries aloud, "I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How naive you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it

Reading through the Word....Day 37, February 6

EXODUS 23:14- 25:40
MATTHEW 24:29- 51
PSALM 30:1- 12
PROVERBS 7:24- 27


"Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor. 15 The first is the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast, just as I commanded you before. This festival will be an annual event at the appointed time in early spring, for that is the anniversary of your exodus from Egypt. Everyone must bring me a sacrifice at that time. 16 You must also celebrate the Festival of Harvest, when you bring me the first crops of your harvest. Finally, you are to celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season. 17 At these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign LORD. 18" Sacrificial blood must never be offered together with bread that has yeast in it. And no sacrificial fat may be left unoffered until the next morning. 19 "As you harvest each of your crops, bring me a choice sample of the first day's harvest. It must be offered to the LORD your God." You must not cook a young goat in its mother's milk. 20 "See, I am sending my angel before you to lead you safely to the land I have prepared for you. 21 Pay attention to him, and obey all of his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your sins. He is my representative-- he bears my name. 22 But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. 23 For my angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, so you may live there. And I will destroy them. 24 Do not worship the gods of these other nations or serve them in any way, and never follow their evil example. Instead, you must utterly conquer them and break down their shameful idols. 25" You must serve only the LORD your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will keep you healthy. 26 There will be no miscarriages or infertility among your people, and I will give you long, full lives. 27 "I will send my terror upon all the people whose lands you invade, and they will panic before you. 28 I will send hornets ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites. 29 But I will not do this all in one year because the land would become a wilderness, and the wild animals would become too many to control. 30 I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to fill the land. 31 And I will fix your boundaries from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the southern deserts to the Euphrates River. I will help you defeat the people now living in the land, and you will drive them out ahead of you. 32" Make no treaties with them and have nothing to do with their gods. 33 Do not even let them live among you! If you do, they will infect you with their sin of idol worship, and that would be disastrous for you. "24:1 THEN the LORD instructed Moses:" Come up here to me, and bring along Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel's leaders. All of them must worship at a distance. 2 You alone, Moses, are allowed to come near to the LORD. The others must not come too close. And remember, none of the other people are allowed to climb on the mountain at all. "3 When Moses had announced to the people all the teachings and regulations the LORD had given him, they answered in unison," We will do everything the LORD has told us to do. "4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the LORD's instructions. Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars around the altar, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent some of the young men to sacrifice young bulls as burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. 6 Moses took half the blood from these animals and drew it off into basins. The other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They all responded again," We will do everything the LORD has commanded. We will obey. "8 Then Moses sprinkled the blood from the basins over the people and said," This blood confirms the covenant the LORD has made with you in giving you these laws. "9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel went up the mountain. 10 There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a pavement of brilliant sapphire, as clear as the heavens. 11 And though Israel's leaders saw God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they shared a meal together in God's presence! 12 And the LORD said to Moses," Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there while I give you the tablets of stone that I have inscribed with my instructions and commands. Then you will teach the people from them. "13 So Moses and his assistant Joshua climbed up the mountain of God. 14 Moses told the other leaders," Stay here and wait for us until we come back. If there are any problems while I am gone, consult with Aaron and Hur, who are here with you. "15 Then Moses went up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. 16 And the glorious presence of the LORD rested upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from the cloud. 17 The Israelites at the foot of the mountain saw an awesome sight. The awesome glory of the LORD on the mountaintop looked like a devouring fire. 18 Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. 25:1 THE LORD said to Moses, 2" Tell the people of Israel that everyone who wants to may bring me an offering. 3 Here is a list of items you may accept on my behalf:gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goat hair for cloth; 5 tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; 7 onyx stones, and other stones to be set in the ephod and the chestpiece. 8 "I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. 9 You must make this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the plans I will show you. 10" Make an Ark of acacia wood-- a sacred chest 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet high. 11 Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and put a molding of gold all around it. 12 Cast four rings of gold for it, and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side. 13 Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 Fit the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 15 These carrying poles must never be taken from the rings; they are to be left there permanently. 16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. 17 "Then make the Ark's cover-- the place of atonement-- out of pure gold. It must be 3 feet long and 2 feet wide. 18 Then use hammered gold to make two cherubim, and place them at the two ends of the atonement cover. 19 Attach the cherubim to each end of the atonement cover, making it all one piece. 20 The cherubim will face each other, looking down on the atonement cover with their wings spread out above it. 21 Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. 22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel. 23" Then make a table of acacia wood, 3 feet long, 1 feet wide, and 2 feet high. 24 Overlay it with pure gold and run a molding of gold around it. 25 Put a rim about three inches wide around the top edge, and put a gold molding all around the rim. 26 Make four gold rings, and put the rings at the four corners by the four legs, 27 close to the rim around the top. These rings will support the poles used to carry the table. 28 Make these poles from acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 29 And make gold plates and dishes, as well as pitchers and bowls to be used in pouring out drink offerings. 30 You must always keep the special Bread of the Presence on the table before me. 31 "Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. The entire lampstand and its decorations will be one piece-- the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and blossoms. 32 It will have six branches, three branches going out from each side of the center stem. 33 Each of the six branches will hold a cup shaped like an almond blossom, complete with buds and petals. 34 The center stem of the lampstand will be decorated with four almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 35 One blossom will be set beneath each pair of branches where they extend from the center stem. 36 The decorations and branches must all be one piece with the stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold. 37 Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward. 38 The lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold. 39 You will need seventy- five pounds of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories. 40" Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain. "


" Immediately after those horrible days end, the sun will be darkened,
the moon will not give light,
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers of heaven will be shaken.
30 And then at last, the sign of the coming of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the nations of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send forth his angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. 32 "Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near. 33 Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever. 36" However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. 38 In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn't realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40" Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming. 43 "Know this:A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected. 45" Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family? 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But if the servant is evil and thinks, `My master won't be back for a while, '49 and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk-- 50well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. 51 He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. "


A psalm of David, sung at the dedication of the Temple.
1 I will praise you, LORD, for you have rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
2 O LORD my God, I cried out to you for help,
and you restored my health.
3 You brought me up from the grave, O LORD.
You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
5 His anger lasts for a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may go on all night,
but joy comes with the morning.
6 When I was prosperous I said,
" Nothing can stop me now! "
7 Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain.
Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.
8 I cried out to you, O LORD.
I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,
9" What will you gain if I die,
if I sink down into the grave?
Can my dust praise you from the grave?
Can it tell the world of your faithfulness?
10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O LORD. "
11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!


Listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don't let your hearts stray away toward her [immoral woman]. Don't wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; numerous men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death

Reading through the Word....Day 36, February 5

EXODUS 21:22- 23:13
MATTHEW 24:1- 28
PSALM 29:1- 11
PROVERBS 7:6- 23


"Now suppose two people are fighting, and in the process, they hurt a pregnant woman so her child is born prematurely. If no further harm results, then the person responsible must pay damages in the amount the woman's husband demands and the judges approve. 23 But if any harm results, then the offender must be punished according to the injury. If the result is death, the offender must be executed. 24 If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it. Similarly, the payment must be hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. 26" If an owner hits a male or female slave in the eye and the eye is blinded, then the slave may go free because of the eye. 27 And if an owner knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave, the slave should be released in payment for the tooth. 28 "If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable. 29 Suppose, on the other hand, that the owner knew the bull had gored people in the past, yet the bull was not kept under control. If this is true and if the bull kills someone, it must be stoned, and the owner must also be killed. 30 However, the dead person's relatives may accept payment from the owner of the bull to compensate for the loss of life. The owner will have to pay whatever is demanded. 31" The same principle applies if the bull gores a boy or a girl. 32 But if the bull gores a slave, either male or female, the slave's owner is to be given thirty silver coins in payment, and the bull must be stoned. 33 "Suppose someone digs or uncovers a well and fails to cover it, and then an ox or a donkey falls into it. 34 The owner of the well must pay in full for the dead animal but then gets to keep it. 35" If someone's bull injures a neighbor's bull and the injured bull dies, then the two owners must sell the live bull and divide the money between them. Each will also own half of the dead bull. 36 But if the bull was known from past experience to gore, yet its owner failed to keep it under control, the money will not be divided. The owner of the living bull must pay in full for the dead bull but then gets to keep it. 22:1 "A FINE must be paid by anyone who steals an ox or sheep and then kills or sells it. For oxen the fine is five oxen for each one stolen. For sheep the fine is four sheep for each one stolen. 2" If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty. 3 But if it happens in daylight, the one who killed the thief is guilty of murder. "A thief who is caught must pay in full for everything that was stolen. If payment is not made, the thief must be sold as a slave to pay the debt. 4 If someone steals an ox or a donkey or a sheep and it is recovered alive, then the thief must pay double the value. 5" If an animal is grazing in a field or vineyard and the owner lets it stray into someone else's field to graze, then the animal's owner must pay damages in the form of high- quality grain or grapes. 6 "If a fire gets out of control and goes into another person's field, destroying the sheaves or the standing grain, then the one who started the fire must pay for the lost crops. 7" Suppose someone entrusts money or goods to a neighbor, and they are stolen from the neighbor's house. If the thief is found, the fine is double the value of what was stolen. 8 But if the thief is not found, God will determine whether or not it was the neighbor who stole the property. 9 "Suppose there is a dispute between two people as to who owns a particular ox, donkey, sheep, article of clothing, or anything else. Both parties must come before God for a decision, and the person whom God declares guilty must pay double to the other. 10" Now suppose someone asks a neighbor to care for a donkey, ox, sheep, or any other animal, but it dies or is injured or gets away, and there is no eyewitness to report just what happened. 11 The neighbor must then take an oath of innocence in the presence of the LORD. The owner must accept the neighbor's word, and no payment will be required. 12 But if the animal or property was stolen, payment must be made to the owner. 13 If it was attacked by a wild animal, the carcass must be shown as evidence, and no payment will be required. 14 "If someone borrows an animal from a neighbor and it is injured or killed, and if the owner was not there at the time, the person who borrowed it must pay for it. 15 But if the owner is there, no payment is required. And no payment is required if the animal was rented because this loss was covered by the rental fee. 16" If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to anyone and sleeps with her, he must pay the customary dowry and accept her as his wife. 17 But if her father refuses to let her marry him, the man must still pay the money for her dowry. 18 "A sorceress must not be allowed to live. 19" Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be executed. 20 "Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed. 21" Do not oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. 22 "Do not exploit widows or orphans. 23 If you do and they cry out to me, then I will surely help them. 24 My anger will blaze forth against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Your wives will become widows, and your children will become fatherless. 25" If you lend money to a fellow Hebrew in need, do not be like a money lender, charging interest. 26 If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge of repayment, you must return it by nightfall. 27 Your neighbor will need it to stay warm during the night. If you do not return it and your neighbor cries out to me for help, then I will hear, for I am very merciful. 28 "Do not blaspheme God or curse anyone who rules over you. 29" Do not hold anything back when you give me the tithe of your crops and your wine. "You must make the necessary payment for redemption of your firstborn sons. 30" You must also give me the firstborn of your cattle and sheep. Leave the newborn animal with its mother for seven days; then give it to me on the eighth day. 31 "You are my own holy people. Therefore, do not eat any animal that has been attacked and killed by a wild animal. Throw its carcass out for the dogs to eat. 23:1" DO not pass along false reports. Do not cooperate with evil people by telling lies on the witness stand. 2 "Do not join a crowd that intends to do evil. When you are on the witness stand, do not be swayed in your testimony by the opinion of the majority. 3 And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor. 4" If you come upon your enemy's ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you struggling beneath a heavy load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and offer to help. 6 "Do not twist justice against people simply because they are poor. 7" Keep far away from falsely charging anyone with evil. Never put an innocent or honest person to death. I will not allow anyone guilty of this to go free. 8 "Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe always hurts the cause of the person who is in the right. 9" Do not oppress the foreigners living among you. You know what it is like to be a foreigner. Remember your own experience in the land of Egypt. 10 "Plant and harvest your crops for six years, 11 but let the land rest and lie fallow during the seventh year. Then let the poor among you harvest any volunteer crop that may come up. Leave the rest for the animals to eat. The same applies to your vineyards and olive groves. 12" Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. This will give your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It will also allow the people of your household, including your slaves and visitors, to be refreshed. 13 "Be sure to obey all my instructions. And remember, never pray to or swear by any other gods. Do not even mention their names."


As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he told them, "Do you see all these buildings? I assure you, they will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another!" 3 Later, Jesus sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and asked, "When will all this take place? And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?" 4 Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Messiah. 'They will lead many astray. 6 And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. 7 The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come. 9" Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But those who endure to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come. 15 "The time will come when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about:the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place"-- reader, pay attention! 16 "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 17 A person outside the house must not go inside to pack. 18 A person in the field must not return even to get a coat. 19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies in those days. 20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again. 22 In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, the entire human race will be destroyed. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones. 23" Then if anyone tells you, `Look, here is the Messiah,' or `There he is, 'don't pay any attention. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. 25 See, I have warned you. 26 "So if someone tells you, `Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,' don't bother to go and look. Or, `Look, he is hiding here, 'don't believe it! 27 For as the lightning lights up the entire sky, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. 28 Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."


A psalm of David.
1 Give honor to the LORD, you angels;
give honor to the LORD for his glory and strength.
2 Give honor to the LORD for the glory of his name.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The LORD thunders over the mighty sea.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars;
the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon's mountains skip like a calf
and Mount Hermon to leap like a young bull.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with lightning bolts.
8 The voice of the LORD makes the desert quake;
the LORD shakes the desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks
and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, "Glory!"
10 The LORD rules over the floodwaters.
The LORD reigns as king forever.
11 The LORD gives his people strength.
The LORD blesses them with peace.


I was looking out the window of my house one day and saw a simpleminded young man who lacked common sense. He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman. He was strolling down the path by her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. The woman approached him, dressed seductively and sly of heart. She was the brash, rebellious type who never stays at home. She is often seen in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, "I've offered my sacrifices and just finished my vows. It's you I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! My bed is spread with colored sheets of finest linen imported from Egypt. I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let's drink our fill of love until morning. Let's enjoy each other's caresses, for my husband is not home. He's away on a long trip. He has taken a wallet full of money with him, and he won't return until later in the month." So she seduced him with her pretty speech. With her flattery she enticed him. He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter or like a trapped stag, awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life

Reading through the Word....Day 35, February 4

EXODUS 19:16- 21:21
MATTHEW 23:13- 39
PSALM 28:1- 9
PROVERBS 7:1- 5

On the morning of the third day, there was a powerful thunder and lightning storm, and a dense cloud came down upon the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram's horn, and all the people trembled. 17 Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 All Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain shook with a violent earthquake. 19 As the horn blast grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply for all to hear. 20 The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain. 21 Then the LORD told Moses, "Go back down and warn the people not to cross the boundaries. They must not come up here to see the LORD, for those who do will die. 22 Even the priests who regularly come near to the LORD must purify themselves, or I will destroy them." 23 "But, LORD, the people cannot come up on the mountain!" Moses protested. "You already told them not to. You told me to set boundaries around the mountain and to declare it off limits." 24 But the LORD said, "Go down anyway and bring Aaron back with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or the people cross the boundaries to come up here. If they do, I will punish them." 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them what the LORD had said. 20:1 THEN God instructed the people as follows:2 "I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt. 3" Do not worship any other gods besides me. 4 "Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. 5 You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. 6 But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations. 7" Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. 8 "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, 10 but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; then he rested on the seventh day. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. 12" Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you. 13 "Do not murder. 14" Do not commit adultery. 15 "Do not steal. 16" Do not testify falsely against your neighbor. 17 "Do not covet your neighbor's house. Do not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns." 18 When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the horn, and when they saw the lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. 19 And they said to Moses, "You tell us what God says, and we will listen. But don't let God speak directly to us. If he does, we will die!" 20 "Don't be afraid," Moses said, "for God has come in this way to show you his awesome power. From now on, let your fear of him keep you from sinning!" 21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses entered into the deep darkness where God was. 22 And the LORD said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel:You are witnesses that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 Remember, you must not make or worship idols of silver or gold. 24" The altars you make for me must be simple altars of earth. Offer on such altars your sacrifices to me-- your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Build altars in the places where I remind you who I am, and I will come and bless you there. 25 If you build altars from stone, use only uncut stones. Do not chip or shape the stones with a tool, for that would make them unfit for holy use. 26 And you may not approach my altar by steps. If you do, someone might look up under the skirts of your clothing and see your nakedness. 21:1 "HERE are some other instructions you must present to Israel:2" If you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for only six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom. 3 If he was single when he became your slave and then married afterward, only he will go free in the seventh year. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife will be freed with him. 4 "If his master gave him a wife while he was a slave, and they had sons or daughters, then the man will be free in the seventh year, but his wife and children will still belong to his master. 5 But the slave may plainly declare, `I love my master, my wife, and my children. I would rather not go free. '6 If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will belong to his master forever. 7" When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. 8 If she does not please the man who bought her, he may allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her. 9 And if the slave girl's owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave girl, but he must treat her as his daughter. 10 If he himself marries her and then takes another wife, he may not reduce her food or clothing or fail to sleep with her as his wife. 11 If he fails in any of these three ways, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment. 12 "Anyone who hits a person hard enough to cause death must be put to death. 13 But if it is an accident and God allows it to happen, I will appoint a place where the slayer can run for safety. 14 However, if someone deliberately attacks and kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and put to death. 15" Anyone who strikes father or mother must be put to death. 16 "Kidnappers must be killed, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves. 17" Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. 18 "Now suppose two people quarrel, and one hits the other with a stone or fist, causing injury but not death. 19 If the injured person is later able to walk again, even with a crutch, the assailant will be innocent. Nonetheless, the assailant must pay for time lost because of the injury and must pay for the medical expenses. 20" If a male or female slave is beaten and dies, the owner must be punished. 21 If the slave recovers after a couple of days, however, then the owner should not be punished, since the slave is the owner's property. "


" How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you won't let others enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and you won't go in yourselves. 15 Yes, how terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn him into twice the son of hell as you yourselves are. 16 "Blind guides! How terrible it will be for you! For you say that it means nothing to swear `by God's Temple'-- you can break that oath. But then you say that it is binding to swear `by the gold in the Temple. '17 Blind fools! Which is greater, the gold, or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 And you say that to take an oath `by the altar' can be broken, but to swear `by the gifts on the altar 'is binding! 19 How blind! For which is greater, the gift on the altar, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 When you swear `by the altar,' you are swearing by it and by everything on it. 21 And when you swear `by the Temple, 'you are swearing by it and by God, who lives in it. 22 And when you swear `by heaven,' you are swearing by the throne of God and by God, who sits on the throne. 23" How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law-- justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things. 24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat; then you swallow a camel! 25 "How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy-- full of greed and self- indulgence! 26 Blind Pharisees! First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too. 27" How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs-- beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 You try to look like upright people outwardly, but inside your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. 29 "How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed and decorate the graves of the godly people your ancestors destroyed. 30 Then you say, `We never would have joined them in killing the prophets. '31" In saying that, you are accusing yourselves of being the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead. Finish what they started. 33 Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell? 34 I will send you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. You will kill some by crucifixion and whip others in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. 35 As a result, you will become guilty of murdering all the godly people from righteous Abel to Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered in the Temple between the altar and the sanctuary. 36 I assure you, all the accumulated judgment of the centuries will break upon the heads of this very generation. 37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me. 38 And now look, your house is left to you, empty and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, `Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'"


A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, you are my rock of safety.
Please help me; don't refuse to answer me.
For if you are silent,
I might as well give up and die.
2 Listen to my prayer for mercy
as I cry out to you for help,
as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
3 Don't drag me away with the wicked--
with those who do evil--
those who speak friendly words to their neighbors
while planning evil in their hearts.
4 Give them the punishment they so richly deserve!
Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness.
Pay them back for all their evil deeds!
Give them a taste of what they have done to others.
5 They care nothing for what the LORD has done
or for what his hands have made.
So he will tear them down like old buildings,
and they will never be rebuilt!
6 Praise the LORD!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger.
I trust in him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
8 The LORD protects his people
and gives victory to his anointed king.
9 Save your people!
Bless Israel, your special possession!
Lead them like a shepherd,
and carry them forever in your arms.


Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey them and live! Guard my teachings as your most precious possession. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. Let them hold you back from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of an adulterous woman