Daily Bible Readings January 9, 2016

Isaiah 43:1-7Common English Bible (CEB) Don’t fear 43 But now, says the Lord— the one who created you, Jacob,     the one who formed you, Israel: Don’t 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;     when through the rivers, they won’t sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you won’t be scorched     and flame won’t burn you. 3 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 Because you are precious in my eyes,     you are honored, and I love you.     I give people in your place,         and nations in exchange for your life. 5 Don’t fear,     I am with you. From the east I’ll bring your children;     from the west I’ll gather you. 6 I’ll say to the north, “Give them back!”     and to the south, “Don’t detain them.” Bring my sons from far away,     and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7     everyone who is called by my name     and whom I created for my glory,     whom I have formed and made. Luke 3:15-22Common English Bible (CEB) Responses to John 15 The people were filled with expectation, and everyone wondered whether John might be the Christ. 16 John replied to them all, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than me is coming. I’m not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.” 18 With many other words John appealed to them, proclaiming good news to the people. 19 But Herod the ruler had been criticized harshly by John because of Herodias, Herod’s brother’s wife, and because of all the evil he had done. 20 He added this to the list of his evil deeds: he locked John up in prison. Jesus’ baptism 21 When everyone was being baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit came down on him in bodily form like a dove. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible