Monday, February 24, 2025

^7:17This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region. ¹⁸The disciples of John told him about all these things. ¹⁹John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” ²⁰When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’” ²¹In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. ²²Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ²³Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” ²⁴When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed and live delicately are in kings’ courts. ²⁶But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. ²⁷This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ ²⁸“For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.” ²⁹When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism. ³⁰But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.

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^1:1The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. ²Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. ³For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth. ⁵Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. ⁶They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, ⁷because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. ⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. ⁹I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. ¹⁰Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. ¹¹Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. ¹²Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true. ¹³I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; ¹⁴but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

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^4:6seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves. ⁸We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; ⁹pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; ¹⁰always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh. ¹²So then death works in us, but life in you. ¹³But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore we also speak, ¹⁴knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also through Jesus, and will present us with you. ¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

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^19:29When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, ³⁰saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, which no man has ever sat upon. Untie it and bring it. ³¹If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’” ³²Those who were sent went away and found things just as he had told them. ³³As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ³⁴They said, “The Lord needs it.” ³⁵Then they brought it to Jesus. They threw their cloaks on the colt and sat Jesus on them. ³⁶As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road. ³⁷As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, ³⁸saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!” ³⁹Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” ⁴⁰He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.” ^22:7The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. ⁸Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” ⁹They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?” ¹⁰He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. ¹¹Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ ¹²He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.” ¹³They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. ¹⁴When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. ¹⁵He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, ¹⁶for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” ¹⁷He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, ¹⁸for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.” ¹⁹He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” ²⁰Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²²The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” ²³They began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing. ²⁴A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ²⁶But not so with you. Rather, the one who is greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. ²⁷For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸“But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. ²⁹I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, ³⁰that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” ³¹The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, ³²but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.” ³³He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” ³⁴He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.” ³⁵He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. ³⁷For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me is being fulfilled.” ³⁸They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.” ³⁹He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.

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^11:2Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples ³and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” ⁴Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: ⁵the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” ⁷As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. ¹⁰For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ ¹¹Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. ¹²From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹⁴If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. ¹⁵He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

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^1:1The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. ²Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. ³For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth. ⁵Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. ⁶They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, ⁷because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. ⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. ⁹I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. ¹⁰Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. ¹¹Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. ¹²Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true. ¹³I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; ¹⁴but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

WEB, public domain

^19:29When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, ³⁰saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, which no man has ever sat upon. Untie it and bring it. ³¹If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’” ³²Those who were sent went away and found things just as he had told them. ³³As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ³⁴They said, “The Lord needs it.” ³⁵Then they brought it to Jesus. They threw their cloaks on the colt and sat Jesus on them. ³⁶As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road. ³⁷As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, ³⁸saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!” ³⁹Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” ⁴⁰He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.” ^22:7The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. ⁸Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” ⁹They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?” ¹⁰He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. ¹¹Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ ¹²He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.” ¹³They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. ¹⁴When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. ¹⁵He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, ¹⁶for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” ¹⁷He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, ¹⁸for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.” ¹⁹He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” ²⁰Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²²The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” ²³They began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing. ²⁴A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ²⁶But not so with you. Rather, the one who is greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. ²⁷For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸“But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. ²⁹I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, ³⁰that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” ³¹The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, ³²but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.” ³³He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” ³⁴He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.” ³⁵He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. ³⁷For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me is being fulfilled.” ³⁸They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.” ³⁹He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.

WEB, public domain