Daily Readings for November 26

Daily Readings for November 26
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Esther 1

1.Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces), 2.that in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3.in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him. 4.He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days. 5.When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king's palace. 6.There were hangings of white, green, and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble. 7.They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king. 8.In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. 9.Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

10.On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11.to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful. 12.But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him. 13.Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for it was the king's custom to consult those who knew law and judgment; 14.and the next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom), 15."What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?"

16.Memucan answered before the king and the princes, "Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus. 17.For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands, when it is reported, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she didn't come.' 18.Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's deed will tell all the king's princes. This will cause much contempt and wrath.

19."If it please the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she. 20.When the king's decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small."

21.This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan: 22.for he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people.

Amos 6

1.Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who are secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come! 2.Go to Calneh, and see; and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. are they better than these kingdoms? or is their border greater than your border? 3.Those who put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; 4.Who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; 5.who strum on the strings of a harp; who invent for themselves instruments of music, like David; 6.who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the best oils; but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. 7.Therefore they will now go captive with the first who go captive; and the feasting and lounging will end. 8."The Lord Yahweh has sworn by himself," says Yahweh, the God of Armies: "I abhor the pride of Jacob, and detest his fortresses. Therefore I will deliver up the city with all that is in it. 9.It will happen, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.

10."When a man's relative carries him, even he who burns him, to bring bodies out of the house, and asks him who is in the innermost parts of the house, 'Is there yet any with you?' And he says, 'No;' then he will say, 'Hush! Indeed we must not mention the name of Yahweh.'

11."For, behold, Yahweh commands, and the great house will be smashed to pieces, and the little house into bits. 12.Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plow there with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison, and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness; 13.you who rejoice in a thing of nothing, who say, 'Haven't we taken for ourselves horns by our own strength?' 14.For, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, house of Israel," says Yahweh, the God of Armies; "and they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of the Arabah."

2Timothy 3

1.But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. 2.For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3.without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4.traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5.holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also. 6.For some of these are people who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7.always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8.Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith, are rejected. 9.But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. 10.But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 11.persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12.Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13.But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14.But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 15.From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 16.Every Scripture is God-breathed and³ profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17.that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2Timothy 4

1.I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2.preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching. 3.For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4.and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. 5.But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

6.For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7.I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8.From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing. 9.Be diligent to come to me soon, 10.for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11.Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12.But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13.Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. 14.Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works, 15.of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.

16.At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 17.But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18.And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19.Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20.Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 21.Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. 22.The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.