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1Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!
4Praise Him, highest heavens,
And the waters that are above the heavens!
5Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For He commanded and they were created.
6He has also established them forever and ever;
He has made a decree which will not pass away.
7Praise the LORD from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;
8Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9Mountains and all hills;
Fruit trees and all cedars;
10Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and winged fowl;
11Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children.
13Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven.
14And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
Praise for all His godly ones;
Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
Praise the LORD!
4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
22And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERYfirstbornMALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”),24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”
25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32A LIGHTOF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—35and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.38At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.40The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
1“Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2“For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the LORD will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
3“Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
4“Lift up your eyes round about and see;
They all gather together, they come to you.
Your sons will come from afar,
And your daughters will be carried in the arms.
5“Then you will see and be radiant,
And your heart will thrill and rejoice;
Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you,
The wealth of the nations will come to you.
6“A multitude of camels will cover you,
The young camels of Midian and Ephah;
All those from Sheba will come;
They will bring gold and frankincense,
And will bear good news of the praises of the LORD.
1Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s son.
2May he judge Your people with righteousness
And Your afflicted with justice.
3Let the mountains bring peace to the people,
And the hills, in righteousness.
4May he vindicate the afflicted of the people,
Save the children of the needy
And crush the oppressor.
5Let them fear You while the sun endures,
And as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6May he come down like rain upon the mown grass,
Like showers that water the earth.
7In his days may the righteous flourish,
And abundance of peace till the moon is no more.
8May he also rule from sea to sea
And from the River to the ends of the earth.
9Let the nomads of the desert bow before him,
And his enemies lick the dust.
10Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents;
The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
11And let all kings bow down before him,
All nations serve him.
12For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.
13He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And the lives of the needy he will save.
14He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,
And their blood will be precious in his sight;
1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—2if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;3that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.4By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,5which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;6to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,7of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.8To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,9and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;10so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,12in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,2“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILLSHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
7Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”9After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.11After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
1But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
3“For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place.
4“Since you are precious in My sight,
Since you are honored and I love you,
I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.
5“Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
And gather you from the west.
6“I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring My sons from afar
And My daughters from the ends of the earth,
7Everyone who is called by My name,
And whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”
1Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The LORD is over many waters.
4The voice of the LORD is powerful,
The voice of the LORD is majestic.
5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
And Sirion like a young wild ox.
7The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire.
8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everything says, “Glory!”
10The LORD sat as King at the flood;
Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.
11The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.
14Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,15who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.16For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.17Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
15Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ,16John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.17“His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
18So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.19But when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done,20Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.
21Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,22and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet,
Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,
And her salvation like a torch that is burning.
2The nations will see your righteousness,
And all kings your glory;
And you will be called by a new name
Which the mouth of the LORD will designate.
3You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,”
Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”;
But you will be called, “My delight is in her,”
And your land, “Married”;
For the LORD delights in you,
And to Him your land will be married.
5For as a young man marries a virgin,
So your sons will marry you;
And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
So your God will rejoice over you.
5Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
7How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
8They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
9For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
10O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.2You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;9to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,10and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
1On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;2and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.3When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.”4And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”5His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”6Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.7Jesus *said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim.8And He *said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him.9When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter *called the bridegroom,10and *said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine;but you have kept the good wine until now.”11This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
1And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel.2Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.3He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.4Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.5Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.6Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place.8They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
9Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.10Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
1The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14For the body is not one member, but many.15If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.16And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.19If they were all one member, where would the body be?20But now there are many members, but one body.21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”22On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;23and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,24whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.28And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.29All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?30All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?31But earnestly desire the greater gifts.
And I show you a still more excellent way.
14And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.15And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.
16And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
20And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.21And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”