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Daily Readings for March 11
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Leviticus 19
1.Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2."Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, 'You shall be holy; for I Yahweh your God am holy.
3."'Each one of you shall respect his mother and his father. You shall keep my Sabbaths. I am Yahweh your God.
4."'Don't turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I am Yahweh your God.
5."'When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted. 6.It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and on the next day: and if anything remains until the third day, it shall be burned with fire. 7.If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It will not be accepted; 8.but everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the holy thing of Yahweh, and that soul shall be cut off from his people.
9."'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10.You shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.
11."'You shall not steal.
"'You shall not lie.
"'You shall not deceive one another.
12."'You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.
13."'You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him.
"'The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.
14."'You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind; but you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh.
15."'You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.
16."'You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people.
"'You shall not endanger the life6 of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.
17."'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
18."'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.
19."'You shall keep my statutes.
"'You shall not crossbreed different kinds of animals.
"'you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed;
"'neither shall there come upon on you a garment made of two kinds of material.
20."'If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed, or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 21.He shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, even a ram for a trespass offering. 22.The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before Yahweh for his sin which he has committed: and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.
23."'When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as forbidden.7 Three years shall they be forbidden to you. It shall not be eaten. 24.But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, for giving praise to Yahweh. 25.In the fifth year you shall eat its fruit, that it may yield its increase to you. I am Yahweh your God.
26."'You shall not eat any meat with the blood still in it; neither shall you use enchantments, nor practice sorcery.
27."'You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your heads, neither shall you clip off the edge of your beard.
28."'You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.
29."'Don't profane your daughter, to make her a prostitute; lest the land fall to prostitution, and the land become full of wickedness.
30."'You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary; I am Yahweh.
31."'Don't turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don't seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.
32."'You shall rise up before the gray head, and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh.
33."'If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34.The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.
35."'You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity. 36.You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah,8 and a just hin. I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
37."'You shall observe all my statutes, and all my ordinances, and do them. I am Yahweh.'"
Psalm 119
1.Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law. 2.Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart. 3.Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways. 4.You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them. 5.Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes! 6.Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments. 7.I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments. 8.I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me.
9.How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10.With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments. 11.I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12.Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. 13.With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth. 14.I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15.I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways. 16.I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
105.Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. 106.I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances. 107.I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word. 108.Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances. 109.My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law. 110.The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts. 111.I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112.I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
113.I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 114.You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. 115.Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116.Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117.Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually. 118.You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain. 119.You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies. 120.My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
121.I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors. 122.Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me. 123.My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word. 124.Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes. 125.I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies. 126.It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law. 127.Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold. 128.Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
129.Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them. 130.The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. 131.I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments. 132.Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133.Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me. 134.Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts. 135.Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes. 136.Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law.
137.You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright. 138.You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy. 139.My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words. 140.Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 141.I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts. 142.Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth. 143.Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight. 144.Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
145.I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes. 146.I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes. 147.I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words. 148.My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word. 149.Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances. 150.They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law. 151.You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth. 152.Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
153.Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don't forget your law. 154.Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise. 155.Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes. 156.Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances. 157.Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies. 158.I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don't observe your word. 159.Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness. 160.All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
161.Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. 162.I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil. 163.I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law. 164.Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances. 165.Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble. 166.I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments. 167.My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly. 168.I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
169.Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word. 170.Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word. 171.Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172.Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness. 173.Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174.I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight. 175.Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me. 176.I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments.
17.Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word. 18.Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law. 19.I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me. 20.My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times. 21.You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments. 22.Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes. 23.Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24.Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
25.My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word! 26.I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes. 27.Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28.My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word. 29.Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously! 30.I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me. 31.I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed. 32.I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
33.Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end. 34.Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart. 35.Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them. 36.Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain. 37.Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways. 38.Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared. 39.Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good. 40.Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
41.Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word. 42.So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word. 43.Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances. 44.So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever. 45.I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts. 46.I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed. 47.I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them. 48.I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
49.Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope. 50.This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me. 51.The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don't swerve from your law. 52.I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself. 53.Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law. 54.Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live. 55.I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law. 56.This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
57.Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words. 58.I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word. 59.I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes. 60.I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments. 61.The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law. 62.At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances. 63.I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts. 64.The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.
65.Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh. 66.Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67.Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word. 68.You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes. 69.The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts. 70.Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law. 71.It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. 72.The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
73.Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. 74.Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word. 75.Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76.Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant. 77.Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. 78.Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts. 79.Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes. 80.Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
81.My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word. 82.My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?" 83.For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes. 84.How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85.The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law. 86.All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me! 87.They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts. 88.Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
89.Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever. 90.Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains. 91.Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you. 92.Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93.I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me. 94.I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95.The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes. 96.I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
97.How I love your law! It is my meditation all day. 98.Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me. 99.I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100.I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts. 101.I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word. 102.I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me. 103.How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth! 104.Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Luke 2
1.Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2.This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3.All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. 4.Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5.to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6.It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. 7.She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8.There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9.Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10.The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. 11.For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12.This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough." 13.Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, 14."Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."
15.It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16.They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. 17.When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18.All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. 19.But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
21.When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22.When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23.(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),1 24.and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."2
25.Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26.It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.3 27.He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28.then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29."Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; 30.for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31.which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; 32.a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel."
33.Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34.and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35.Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36.There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37.and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38.Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39.When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40.The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. 41.His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42.When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, 43.and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it, 44.but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45.When they didn't find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46.It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. 47.All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48.When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."
49.He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50.They didn't understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51.And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52.And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.