Mark 1: 1-8 John the Baptist Prepares the Way 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[a] 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,[b] “Behold, I send my messenger before your face,    who will prepare your way,3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:    ‘Prepare[c] the way of the Lord,    make his paths straight,’” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness…

1 John 1: 1-10 The Word of Life 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which…

Isaiah 63: 7-9 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,    the praises of the Lord,according to all that the Lord has granted us,    and the great goodness to the house of Israelthat he has granted them according to his compassion,    according to the abundance of his steadfast love.8 For he said, “Surely they are my people,    children who will not deal falsely.”    And he became their…

Isaiah 7: 10-17 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your[f] God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 And he[g] said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men,…

Isaiah 35: 1-10 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;    the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;2 it shall blossom abundantly    and rejoice with joy and singing.The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,    the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.They shall see the glory of the Lord,    the majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands,    and make firm the feeble knees.4 Say to…

The Righteous Reign of the Branch 11 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,    and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,    the Spirit of counsel and might,    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the…

Isaiah 2: 1-5 The Word of Life 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was…

2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 The Cheerful Giver 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[d] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having…

Exodus 19: 1-5 Israel at Mount Sinai 19 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went…

Psalm 119: 1-8 [a] Blessed are those whose way is blameless,    who walk in the law of the Lord!2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,    who seek him with their whole heart,3 who also do no wrong,    but walk in his ways!4 You have commanded your precepts    to be kept diligently.5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast    in keeping your statutes!6 Then I shall not be put to shame,    having my…