Thursday, January 29, 2026

^4:12Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. ¹³But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. ¹⁴If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. ¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. ¹⁶But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. ¹⁷For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God? ¹⁸“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?” ¹⁹Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator. ^5:1Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed: ²shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily; not for dishonest gain, but willingly; ³not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. ⁴When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away. ⁵Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility and subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

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^12:38In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces, ³⁹and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts, ⁴⁰those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” ⁴¹Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. ⁴²A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. ⁴³He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, ⁴⁴for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”

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