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Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading
May 4 - Old & New Testament
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1 Samuel 23
Chapter 23
David Saves Keilah
1 Then they informed David, saying, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against (C1)Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors."2 So David (C1)inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and (F1)attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and (F1)attack the Philistines and save Keilah."3 But David's men said to him, "Behold, we are fearful here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?"4 So David inquired of the LORD once more. And the LORD answered him and said, "Arise, go down to Keilah, for (C1)I am going to hand the Philistines over to you."5 Then David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines; and he drove away their livestock and struck them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
6 Now it came about, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech (C1)fled to David at Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.7 When it was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, "God has handed him over to me, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars."8 So Saul summoned all the people for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.9 But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to (C1)Abiathar the priest, "(C2)Bring the ephod here."10 Then David said, "LORD God of Israel, Your servant has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to destroy the city on my account.11 "Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down just as Your servant has heard? LORD God of Israel, please, tell Your servant." And the LORD said, "He will come down."12 Then David said, "Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?" And the LORD said, "(C1)They will hand you over."13 Then David and his men, (C1)about six hundred, rose up and departed from Keilah, and they went (C2)wherever they could go. When it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up (F1)the pursuit.14 David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of (C1)Ziph. And Saul searched for him every day, but (C2)God did not hand him over to him.
Saul Pursues David
15 Now David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph, at Horesh.16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, set out and went to David at Horesh, and (F1)(C1)encouraged him in God.17 He said to him, "(C1)Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel, and I will be second in command to you; and (C2)Saul my father knows that as well."18 So (C1)the two of them made a covenant before the LORD; and David stayed at Horesh, while Jonathan went to his house.
19 Then (C1)Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is David not keeping himself hidden with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on (C2)the hill of Hachilah, which is south of (F1)Jeshimon?20 "Now then, O king, come down, (F1)since you fully desire to (F2)do so; and (C1)our part shall be to hand him over to the king."21 Saul said, "May you be blessed of the LORD, (C1)since you have had compassion on me.22 "Go now, be more persistent, and investigate and see his place where (F1)he is hiding, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning.23 "So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he keeps himself hidden, and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah."
24 So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of (C1)Maon, in the Arabah to the south of (F1)Jeshimon.25 When Saul and his men went to seek him, they informed David, and he came down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard about it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon.26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, while Saul and his men (C1)were surrounding David and his men to apprehend them.27 But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have launched an attack against the land!"28 So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines; therefore they called that place (F1)the Rock of Division.29 (F1)And David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of (C1)Engedi.
Psalms 54,63
Prayer for Defense against Enemies.
1 Save me, God, by (C1)Your name,
And (F1)vindicate me by (C2)Your power.
2 (C1)Hear my prayer, God;
(C2)Listen to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers have (C1)risen against me
And (C2)violent men have (C3)sought my (F1)life;
They have (C4)not set God before them. Selah
4 Behold, (C1)God is my helper;
The Lord is (F1)the (C2)sustainer of my soul.
5 (F1)He will (C1)pay back the evil to my enemies;
(F2)(C2)Destroy them (C3)in Your (F3)faithfulness.
6 (F1)(C1)Willingly I will sacrifice to You;
I will (C2)praise Your name, LORD, for it is good.
7 For (F1)He has (C1)saved me from all (F2)trouble,
And my eye has (C2)looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.
Prayer for the Destruction of the Treacherous.
1 (C1)Listen to my prayer, God;
And (C2)do not hide Yourself from my pleading.
2 Give Your (C1)attention to me and answer me;
I am restless in my (C2)complaint and (F1)(C3)severely distracted,
3 Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the (C1)pressure of the wicked;
For they (C2)bring down (F1)trouble upon me
And in anger they (C3)hold a grudge against me.
4 My (C1)heart is in anguish within me,
And the terrors of (C2)death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and (C1)trembling come upon me,
And (F1)(C2)horror has (F2)overwhelmed me.
6 I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and (F1)(C1)be at rest.
7 "Behold, I would flee far away,
I would (C1)spend my nights in the wilderness. Selah
8 "I would hurry to my place of refuge
From the (C1)stormy wind and heavy gale."
9 Confuse them, Lord, (C1)divide their tongues,
For I have seen (C2)violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go around her upon her walls,
And evil and harm are in her midst.
11 (C1)Destruction is in her midst;
(C2)Oppression and deceit do not depart from her (F1)streets.
12 For it is (C1)not an enemy who taunts me,
Then I could endure it;
Nor is it one who hates me who (C2)has exalted himself against me,
Then I could hide myself from him.
13 But it is you, a man (F1)my equal,
My (C1)companion and my (C2)confidant;
14 We who had sweet (F1)fellowship together,
(C1)Walked in the house of God among the commotion.
15 May (F1)death come (C1)deceitfully upon them;
May they (C2)go down alive to (F2)Sheol,
For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.
16 As for me, I shall (C1)call upon God,
And the LORD will save me.
17 (C1)Evening and (C2)morning and at (C3)noon, I will complain and moan,
And He will hear my voice.
18 He will (C1)redeem my soul in peace (F1)from the battle which is against me,
For they are (C2)many who are aggressive toward me.
19 God will (C1)hear and humiliate them—
Even the One (C2)who (F1)sits enthroned from ancient times— Selah
With whom there (F2)is no change,
And who (C3)do not fear God.
20 He has put forth his hands against (C1)those who were at peace with him;
He has (F1)(C2)violated his covenant.
21 His (F1)speech was (C1)smoother than butter,
But his heart was war;
His words were (C1)softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn (C2)swords.
22 (C1)Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
(C2)He will never allow the righteous to (F1)(C3)be shaken.
23 But You, God, will bring them down to the (C1)pit of destruction;
(C2)Men of bloodshed and deceit will (C3)not live out half their days.
But I will (C4)trust in You.
Pleading for Help and Grateful Trust in God.
1 Be gracious to me, God, for a man has (F1)(C1)trampled upon me;
(F2)Fighting all day long he (C2)oppresses me.
2 My enemies have (C1)trampled upon me all day long,
For (F1)they are many who (C2)fight proudly against me.
3 (F1)When I am (C1)afraid,
(F2)I will (C2)put my trust in You.
4 (C1)In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid.
(C2)What can mere (F1)mortals do to me?
5 All day long they (C1)distort my words;
All their (F1)(C2)thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They (F1)(C1)attack, they lurk,
They (C2)watch my (F2)steps,
As they have (C3)waited to take my (F3)life.
7 Because of their wickedness, will there be an (C1)escape for them?
In anger (C2)make the peoples fall down, God!
8 You (C1)have taken account of my (F1)miseries;
Put my (C2)tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in (C3)Your book?
9 Then my enemies will (C1)turn back (C2)on the day when I call;
This I know, (F1)that (C3)God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
In the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 In God I have put my (F1)trust, I shall not be afraid.
What can mankind do to me?
12 Your (C1)vows are binding upon me, God;
I will render thanksgiving offerings to You.
13 For You have (C1)saved my soul from death,
(F1)Indeed (C2)my feet from stumbling,
So that I may (C3)walk before God
In the (C4)light of the (F2)living.
Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors.
1 Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,
For my soul (C1)takes refuge in You;
And in the (C2)shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction (C3)passes by.
2 I will cry to God Most High,
To God who (C1)accomplishes all things for me.
3 He will (C1)send from heaven and save me;
He rebukes the one who (F1)(C2)tramples upon me. Selah
God will send His (F2)(C3)favor and His truth.
4 My soul is among (C1)lions;
I must lie among those who devour,
Among sons of mankind whose (C2)teeth are spears and arrows,
And their (C3)tongue is a sharp sword.
5 (C1)Be exalted above the heavens, God;
May Your glory be above all the earth.
6 They have prepared a (C1)net for my steps;
My soul is (C2)bowed down;
They (C3)dug a pit before me;
They themselves have (C4)fallen into the midst of it. Selah
7 (C1)My (C2)heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!
8 Awake, (C1)my glory!
Awake, (C2)harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 (C1)I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to You among the (F1)nations.
10 For Your (C1)goodness is great to the heavens
And Your (F1)truth to the clouds.
11 (C1)Be exalted above the heavens, God;
May Your glory be above all the earth.
Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked.
1 Do you indeed (F1)speak righteousness, you (F2)gods?
Do you (C1)judge (F3)fairly, you sons of mankind?
2 No, in heart you (C1)practice injustice;
On earth you (C2)clear a way for the violence of your hands.
3 The wicked have turned away (C1)from the womb;
These who speak lies (C2)go astray from (F1)birth.
4 They have venom like the (C1)venom of a serpent;
Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,
5 So that it (C1)does not hear the voice of (F1)(C2)charmers,
Or a skillful caster of spells.
6 God, (C1)shatter their teeth in their mouth;
Break out the fangs of the young lions, LORD.
7 May they (C1)flow away like water that runs off;
When he (F1)(C2)aims his arrows, may they be as (F2)headless shafts.
8 May they be like a snail which goes along in slime,
Like the (C1)miscarriage of a woman that never sees the sun.
9 Before your (C1)pots can feel the fire of thorns
He will (C2)sweep them away with a whirlwind, the (F1)green and the burning alike.
10 The (C1)righteous will rejoice when he (C2)sees vengeance;
He will (C3)wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 And people will say, "There certainly is (F1)(C1)a reward for the righteous;
There certainly is a God who (C2)judges on the earth!"
Prayer for Rescue from Enemies.
1 (C1)Rescue me from my enemies, my God;
(F1)(C2)Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from (C1)those who practice injustice,
And save me from (C2)men of bloodshed.
3 For behold, they (C1)have (F1)set an ambush for my (F2)life;
(F3)Fierce men (C1)attack me,
(C2)Not for my wrongdoing nor for my sin, LORD,
4 (F1)(C1)For no guilt of mine, they run and take their stand against me.
(C2)Stir Yourself to (F2)help me, and see!
5 You, (C1)LORD God of armies, the God of Israel,
Awake to (F1)(C2)punish all the nations;
(C3)Do not be gracious to any who deal treacherously in wrongdoing. Selah
6 They (C1)return at evening, they howl like a (C2)dog,
And prowl around the city.
7 Behold, they (C1)gush forth with their mouths;
(C2)Swords are in their lips,
For, they say, "(C3)Who hears?"
8 But You, LORD, (C1)laugh at them;
You (C2)scoff at all the nations.
9 Because of (F1)his (C1)strength I will watch for You,
For God is my (C2)refuge.
10 (F1)My God (C1)in His faithfulness will meet me;
God will let me (C2)look triumphantly upon my enemies.
11 Do not kill them, (C1)or my people will forget;
(F1)(C2)Scatter them by Your power and bring them down,
Lord, (C3)our shield.
12 (F1)On account of the (C1)sin of their mouths and the words of their lips,
May they even be (C2)caught in their pride,
And on account of (C3)curses and lies which they tell.
13 (F1)(C1)Destroy them in wrath, (F1)destroy them so that they will no longer exist;
So that people may (C2)know that God (F2)rules in Jacob,
To the ends of the earth. Selah
14 They (C1)return at evening, they howl like a dog,
And prowl around the city.
15 They (C1)wander about (F1)for food
And (F2)murmur if they are not satisfied.
16 But as for me, I will (C1)sing of Your strength;
Yes, I will (C2)joyfully sing of Your faithfulness in the (C3)morning,
For You have been my (C4)refuge
And a (C5)place of refuge on the day of my distress.
17 (C1)My strength, I will sing praises to You;
For God is my (C2)refuge, the (F1)God who shows me favor.
Grieving over Defeat in Battle, and Prayer for Help.
1 God, (C1)You have rejected us. You have (F1)(C2)broken us;
You have been (C3)angry; (C4)restore us!
2 You have made the (F1)(C1)land quake, You have split it open;
(C2)Heal its cracks, for it sways.
3 You have (F1)(C1)made Your people experience hardship;
You have given us (F2)wine to (C2)drink that makes us stagger.
4 You have given a (C1)banner to those who fear You,
That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah
5 (C1)That Your (C2)beloved may be rescued,
(C3)Save us with Your right hand, and answer (F1)us!
6 God has spoken in His (F1)(C1)holiness:
"I will triumph, I will divide up (C2)Shechem, and measure out the Valley of (C3)Succoth.
7 "(C1)Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
(C2)Ephraim also is the (F1)helmet of My head;
Judah is My (C3)scepter.
8 "(C1)Moab is My washbowl;
I will throw My sandal over (C2)Edom;
Shout loud, (C3)Philistia, because of Me!"
9 Who will bring me into the besieged city?
Who (F1)will lead me to Edom?
10 Have You Yourself not (C1)rejected us, God?
And (C2)will You not go out with our armies, God?
11 Oh give us help against the enemy,
For (C1)rescue (F1)by man is worthless.
12 (F1)Through God we will (C1)do valiantly,
And it is He who will (C2)trample down our enemies.
Confidence in God's Protection.
1 (C1)Hear my cry, God;
(C2)Give Your attention to my prayer.
2 From the (C1)end of the earth I call to You when my heart is (C2)faint;
Lead me to (C3)the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a (C1)refuge for me,
A (C2)tower of strength against the enemy.
4 Let me (F1)(C1)dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me (C2)take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
5 For You have heard my (C1)vows, God;
You have given me the inheritance of those who (C2)fear Your name.
6 You will (F1)(C1)prolong the king's (F2)life;
His years will be like generations.
7 He will (F1)sit enthroned (C1)before God forever;
Appoint (C2)faithfulness and truth that they may watch over him.
8 So I will (C1)sing praise to Your name forever,
That I may (C2)pay my vows day by day.
God Alone a Refuge from Treachery and Oppression.
1 (C1)My soul waits in silence for God alone;
From Him (C2)comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my (C1)rock and my salvation,
My (C2)stronghold; I will not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will you attack a man,
That you may murder him, all of you,
Like a (C1)leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
4 They have planned only to thrust him down from his high position;
They (C1)delight in falsehood;
They (C2)bless with (F1)their mouth,
But inwardly they curse. Selah
5 My soul, (C1)wait in silence for God alone,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He alone is (C1)my rock and my salvation,
My refuge; I will not be shaken.
7 My (C1)salvation and my glory rest on God;
The rock of my strength, my (C2)refuge is in God.
8 (C1)Trust in Him at all times, you people;
(C2)Pour out your hearts before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 People of (C1)low standing are only (C2)breath, and people of rank are a (C3)lie;
In the (C4)balances they go up.
Together they are lighter than breath.
10 (C1)Do not trust in oppression,
And do not vainly rely on (C2)robbery;
If wealth increases, (C3)do not set your heart on it.
11 God has (C1)spoken (F1)once;
(F2)Twice I have heard this:
That (C2)power belongs to God;
12 And faithfulness (C1)is Yours, Lord,
For You (C2)reward a person according to his work.
The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God.
1 God, (C1)You are my God; I shall be watching for You;
My soul (C2)thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a (C3)dry and exhausted land where there is no water.
2 So have I (C1)seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and glory.
3 Because Your (F1)(C1)favor is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You (C1)as long as I live;
I will (C2)lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is (C1)satisfied as with fat and fatness,
And my mouth offers (C2)praises with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You (C1)on my bed,
I meditate on You in the (C2)night watches,
7 For (C1)You have been my help,
And in the (C2)shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul (C1)clings (F1)to You;
Your (C2)right hand takes hold of me.
9 But those who (C1)seek my (F1)life to destroy it,
Will go into the (F2)(C2)depths of the earth.
10 (F1)They will be (F2)(C1)turned over to the power of the sword;
They will be a (F3)(C2)prey for foxes.
11 But the (C1)king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who (C2)swears by Him will boast,
For the (C3)mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.
Luke 22:47-71
Chapter 22
47 (C1)While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading the way for them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the (C1)sword?"50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.51 But Jesus responded and said, "Leave him alone! No more"">(F1)Stop! No more of this." And He touched his ear and healed him.52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and (C1)officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs (C2)as you would against a man inciting a revolt?53 "While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but (F1)this hour and the power of darkness are yours."
Jesus' Arrest
54 (C1)Now they arrested Him and led Him away, and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but (C2)Peter was following at a distance.55 (C1)After they kindled a fire in the middle of (C2)the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting among them.56 And a slave woman, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, and staring at him, said, "This man was with Him as well."57 But he denied it, saying, "I do not know Him, woman!"58 And a little later, (C1)another person saw him and said, "You are one of them too!" But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"59 And after about an hour had passed, some other man began to insist, saying, "Certainly this man also was with Him, (C1)for he, too, is a Galilean."60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" And immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.61 And then (C1)the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "(C2)Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times."62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
63 (C1)The men who were holding (F1)Jesus in custody began mocking Him and beating Him,64 and they blindfolded Him and repeatedly asked Him, saying, "(C1)Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?"65 And they were saying many other things against Him, (C1)blaspheming.
Jesus before the Sanhedrin
66 (C1)When it was day, (C2)the (F1)Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their (C3)council chamber, saying,67 "(C1)If You are the (F1)Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe;68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer.69 "(C1)But from now on (C2)the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."70 And they all said, "So You are (C1)the Son of God?" And He said to them, "(C2)You say correctly that I am."71 And then they said, "What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth!"
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