Saturday, December 31, 2016

Daily Bible Readings December 31, 2016

Matthew 2:1-12Common English Bible (CEB)

Coming of the magi

2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. 2 They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”

3 When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. 4 He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born.5 They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:

6 You, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
        by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah,
            because from you will come one who governs,
            who will shepherd my people Israel.”[a]

7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” 9 When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. 11 They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.

Footnotes:

Matthew 2:6 Mic 5:2; 2 Sam 5:2

Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission

Friday, December 30, 2016

Daily Bible Readings December 30, 2016

John 1:1-14Common English Bible (CEB)

Story of the Word

1 In the beginning was the Word
    and the Word was with God
    and the Word was God.
2 The Word was with God in the beginning.
3 Everything came into being through the Word,
    and without the Word
    nothing came into being.
What came into being
4     through the Word was life,[a]
    and the life was the light for all people.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.

6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. 8 He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.

9 The true light that shines on all people
    was coming into the world.
10 The light was in the world,
    and the world came into being through the light,
        but the world didn’t recognize the light.
11 The light came to his own people,
    and his own people didn’t welcome him.
12 But those who did welcome him,
        those who believed in his name,
    he authorized to become God’s children,

        nor from human desire or passion,
        but born from God.
14 The Word became flesh
    and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory,
    glory like that of a father’s only son,
        full of grace and truth.

Footnotes:

John 1:4 Or Everything came into being through the Word,/and without the Word / nothing came into being that came into being. In the Word was life

Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Daily Bible Readings December 29, 2016

Hebrews 1Common English Bible (CEB)

The Son is God’s ultimate messenger

1 In the past, God spoke through the prophets to our ancestors in many times and many ways. 2 In these final days, though, he spoke to us through a Son. God made his Son the heir of everything and created the world through him. 3 The Son is the light of God’s glory and the imprint of God’s being. He maintains everything with his powerful message. After he carried out the cleansing of people from their sins, he sat down at the right side of the highest majesty. 4 And the Son became so much greater than the other messengers, such as angels, that he received a more important title than theirs.

Speaking to the Son and angels

5 After all, when did God ever say to any of the angels:

You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father?[a]

Or, even,

I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son?[b]

6 But then, when he brought his firstborn into the world, he said,

All of God’s angels must worship him.[c]

7 He talks about the angels:

He’s the one who uses the spirits for his messengers
and who uses flames of fire as ministers.[d]

8 But he says to his Son,

God, your throne is forever
        and your kingdom’s scepter is a rod of justice.
9 You loved righteousness and hated lawless behavior.
        That is why God, your God,
        has anointed you with oil instead of your companions.[e]

10 And he says,

You, Lord, laid the earth’s foundations in the beginning,
        and the heavens are made by your hands.
11 They will pass away,
        but you remain.
They will all wear out like old clothes.

They will be changed like a person changes clothes,
        but you stay the same,
        and the years of your life won’t come to an end.[f]

13 When has he ever said to any of the angels,

Sit at my right side
until I put your enemies under your feet like a footstool?[g]

14 Aren’t all the angels ministering spirits who are sent to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

Footnotes:

Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Daily Bible Readings December 28, 2016

Psalm 98

A psalm.

98 Sing to the Lord a new song
    because he has done wonderful things!
His own strong hand and his own holy arm
    have won the victory!
2 The Lord has made his salvation widely known;
    he has revealed his righteousness
    in the eyes of all the nations.
3 God has remembered his loyal love
    and faithfulness to the house of Israel;
    every corner of the earth has seen our God’s salvation.

4 Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth!
    Be happy!
    Rejoice out loud!
    Sing your praises!
5 Sing your praises to the Lord with the lyre—
    with the lyre and the sound of music.
6 With trumpets and a horn blast,
    shout triumphantly before the Lord, the king!
7 Let the sea and everything in it roar;
    the world and all its inhabitants too.
8 Let all the rivers clap their hands;
    let the mountains rejoice out loud altogether 9 before the Lord
    because he is coming to establish justice on the earth!
He will establish justice in the world rightly;
    he will establish justice among all people fairly.

Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Daily Bible Readings December 27, 2016

Isaiah 52:7-10Common English Bible (CEB)

Your God rules

7 How beautiful upon the mountains
    are the feet of a messenger
    who proclaims peace,
    who brings good news,
    who proclaims salvation,
    who says to Zion, “Your God rules!”
8 Listen! Your lookouts lift their voice;
    they sing out together!
    Right before their eyes they see the Lord returning to Zion.

9 Break into song together, you ruins of Jerusalem!
The Lord has comforted his people and has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Lord has bared his holy arm in view of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth have seen our God’s victory.

Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission

Monday, December 26, 2016

Daily Bible Readings December 26, 2016

Matthew 2:1-12Common English Bible (CEB)

Coming of the magi

Footnotes:

Matthew 2:6 Mic 5:2; 2 Sam 5:2

Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission