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Daily Bible Reading
December 18 - Straight Thru the Bible
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Titus 1-3
Chapter 1
Salutation
1 Paul, (C1)a bond-servant of God and an (C2)apostle of Jesus Christ, (F1)for the faith of those (C3)chosen of God and (C4)the knowledge of the truth which is (C5)according to godliness,2 in (C1)the hope of eternal life, which God, (C2)who cannot lie, (C3)promised (F1)(C4)long ages ago,3 but (C1)at the proper time revealed His word in (C2)the proclamation (C3)with which I was entrusted (C4)according to the commandment of (C5)God our Savior;
4 To (C1)Titus, (C2)my true (F1)son (F2)in a (C3)common faith: (C4)Grace and peace from God the Father and (C5)Christ Jesus our Savior.
Qualifications of Elders
5 For this reason I left you in (C1)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and (C2)appoint (C3)elders in every city as I directed you,6 namely, (C1)if any man is beyond reproach, the (C2)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of (C3)indecent behavior or (C4)rebellion.7 For the (F1)(C1)overseer must be beyond reproach as (C2)God's steward, not (C3)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not (C4)overindulging in wine, not (F2)a bully, (C5)not greedy for money,8 but (C1)hospitable, (C2)loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined,9 (C1)holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to (F1)exhort in (C2)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
10 (C1)For there are many (C2)rebellious people, (C3)empty talkers and deceivers, especially (C4)those of the circumcision,11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting (C1)whole families, teaching (C2)things they should not teach (C3)for the sake of (F1)dishonest gain.12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "(C1)Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."13 This testimony is true. For this reason (C1)reprimand them (C2)severely so that they may be (C3)sound in the faith,14 not paying attention to Jewish (C1)myths and (C2)commandments of men who (C3)turn away from the truth.15 (C1)To the pure, all things are pure; but (C2)to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their (C3)mind and their conscience are defiled.16 (C1)They profess to know God, but by their deeds they (C2)deny Him, being (C3)detestable and (C4)disobedient and (C5)worthless (C6)for any good deed.
Chapter 2
Proclaim Sound Doctrine
1 But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for (C1)sound doctrine.2 (C1)Older men are to be (F1)(C2)temperate, dignified, self-controlled, (C3)sound (C4)in faith, in love, in (F2)perseverance.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, (C1)not malicious gossips nor (C2)enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,4 so that they may (F1)encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,5 to be sensible, pure, (C1)workers at home, kind, being (C2)subject to their own husbands, (C3)so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
6 Likewise urge (C1)the young men to be (F1)sensible;7 in all things show yourself to be (C1)an example of good deeds, with (F1)purity in doctrine, dignified,8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, (C1)so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
9 Urge (F1)(C1)slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not (F2)argumentative,10 not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of (C1)God our Savior in every respect.
11 For the grace of God has (C1)appeared, (F1)(C2)bringing salvation to all people,12 (F1)instructing us to deny ungodliness and (C1)worldly desires and (C2)to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner (C3)in the present age,13 looking for the blessed hope and the (C1)appearing of the glory of (F1)(C2)our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,14 who (C1)gave Himself for us (C2)to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to (C3)purify for Himself a (C4)people for His own possession, (C5)eager for good deeds.
15 These things speak and (F1)(C1)exhort, and (C1)rebuke with all authority. (C2)No one is to disregard you.
Chapter 3
Godly Living
1 (C1)Remind them (C2)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be (C3)ready for every good deed,2 to slander no one, (C1)not to be contentious, to be (C1)gentle, (C2)showing every consideration for all people.3 (C1)For we too were once foolish, (C2)disobedient, (C3)deceived, (C4)enslaved to (C5)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in (C6)malice and (C6)envy, hateful, hating one another.4 But when the (C1)kindness of (C2)God our Savior and His love for mankind (C3)appeared,5 (C1)He saved us, (C2)not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but (C3)in accordance with His mercy, by the (C4)washing of regeneration and (C5)renewing by the Holy Spirit,6 (C1)whom He (C2)richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior,7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made (C1)heirs (F1)according to the hope of eternal life.8 (C1)This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I (C2)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have (C3)believed God will be careful to (C4)engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people.9 But (C1)avoid (C2)foolish controversies and (C3)genealogies and strife and (C4)disputes about the Law, for they are (C5)useless and worthless.10 (C1)Reject a (F1)(C2)divisive person (C3)after a first and second warning,11 knowing that such a person has (C1)deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.
Personal Concerns
12 When I send Artemas or (C1)Tychicus to you, (C2)make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to (C3)spend the winter there.13 Diligently help Zenas the (C1)lawyer and (C2)Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.14 (C1)Our people must also learn to (C2)engage in good (F1)deeds to meet (C3)pressing needs, so that they will not be (C4)unproductive.
15 (C1)All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us (C2)in the faith.
Philemon 1
Chapter 1
Salutation
1 (C1)Paul, (C2)a prisoner of (C3)Christ Jesus, and (C4)Timothy (F1)our brother,
Philemon's Love and Faith
4 (C1)I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,5 because I (C1)hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the (F1)saints;6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective (F1)through the (C1)knowledge of every good thing which is in you (F2)for the sake of Christ.7 For I have had great (C1)joy and comfort in your love, because the (F1)hearts of the (F2)saints have been (C2)refreshed through you, brother.
8 Therefore, (C1)though I have (F1)enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is (C2)proper,9 yet for love's sake I rather (C1)appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, (F1)an (C2)old man, and now also (C3)a prisoner of (C4)Christ Jesus—
Plea for Onesimus, a Free Man
10 I (C1)appeal to you for my (F1)(C2)son (F2)(C3)Onesimus, whom I (F3)fathered in my (F4)imprisonment,11 who previously was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,13 whom I wanted to keep with me, so that in your behalf he might be at my service in my (F1)(C1)imprisonment for the gospel;14 but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness would (C1)not be, in effect, by compulsion, but of your own free will.15 For perhaps it was (C1)for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,16 (C1)no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, (C2)a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both (C3)in the flesh and in the Lord.17 If then you regard me as a (C1)partner, accept him as you would me.18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;19 (C1)I, Paul, have written this with my own hand, I will repay it ((C2)not to (F1)mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; (C1)refresh my heart in Christ.
21 (C1)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
22 At the same time also prepare me a (C1)guest room, for (C2)I hope that through (C3)your prayers (C4)I will be given to you.
23 (C1)Epaphras, my (C2)fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,24 as do (C1)Mark, (C2)Aristarchus, (C3)Demas, and (C3)Luke, my (C4)fellow workers.
25 (C1)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be (C2)with your spirit.(F1)
Hebrews 1:1-2:10
Chapter 1
God's Final Word in His Son
1 God, after He (C1)spoke long ago to the fathers in (C2)the prophets in many portions and (C3)in many ways,2 (F1)(C1)in these last days (C2)has spoken to us (F2)in His (C3)Son, whom He appointed (C4)heir of all things, (C5)through whom He also made the (F3)(C6)world.3 (F1)And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact (C1)representation of His nature, and (F2)(C2)upholds all things by (F3)the word of His power. When He had made (C3)purification of sins, He (C4)sat down at the right hand of the (C5)Majesty on high,4 having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent (C1)name than they.
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, "(C1)YOU ARE MY SON,
TODAY I HAVE FATHERED YOU"?
And again,
"(C2)I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM
AND HE WILL BE A SON TO ME"?
"(C3)AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM."
7 And regarding the angels He says,"(C1)HE MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS,
AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE."
"(C1)YOUR THRONE, GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER,
AND THE SCEPTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF (F1)HIS KINGDOM.
9 "(C1)YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS;
(C2)THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS (C3)ANOINTED YOU
WITH THE OIL OF JOY ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS."
"(C1)YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH,
AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;
11 (C1)THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN;
(C2)AND THEY ALL WILL (F1)WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT,
12 (C1)AND LIKE A ROBE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP;
LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED.
BUT YOU ARE (C2)THE SAME,
AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END."
"(C1)SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
(C2)UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES
A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET"?
Chapter 2
Pay Attention
1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to (F1)what we have heard, so that (C1)we do not drift away from it.2 For if the word (C1)spoken through (C2)angels proved (F1)unalterable, and (C3)every violation and act of disobedience received a just (F2)(C4)punishment,3 (C1)how will we escape if we neglect so great a (C2)salvation? (F1)After it was at first (C3)spoken through the Lord, it was (C4)confirmed to us by those who heard,4 God also testifying with them, both by (C1)signs and wonders, and by (C2)various (F1)miracles and by (F2)(C3)gifts of the Holy Spirit (C4)according to His own will.
Earth Subject to Man
5 For He did not subject to angels (F1)(C1)the world to come, about which we are speaking.6 But someone has testified (C1)somewhere, saying, "(C2)WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU THINK OF HIM?
OR A SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM?
7 "(C1)YOU HAVE MADE HIM (F1)FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN ANGELS;
YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR(F2);
8 (C1)YOU HAVE PUT EVERYTHING IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET."
For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now (C2)we do not yet see all things subjected to him.
Jesus Briefly Humbled
9 But we do see Him who was (C1)made (F1)for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, (C2)because of His suffering death (C3)crowned with glory and honor, so that (C4)by the grace of God He might (C5)taste death (C6)for everyone.10 For (C1)it was fitting for Him, (C2)for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to (C3)perfect the (F1)(C4)originator of their salvation through sufferings.<
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