Daily Readings for Thursday, 9 January 2014

Daily Readings for Thursday, 9 January 2014

1 John 4: 19 We love[a] because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters,[b] are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister[c] whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters[d] also.

Faith Conquers the World

5: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ[e] has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.

Footnotes:

a. 1 John 4:19 Other ancient authorities add him; others add God

b. 1 John 4:20 Gk brothers

c. 1 John 4:20 Gk brother

d. 1 John 4:21 Gk brothers

e. 1 John 5:1 Or the Messiah

Psalm 72: Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King

Of Solomon.

1 Give the king your justice, O God,

    and your righteousness to a king’s son.

2 May he judge your people with righteousness,

    and your poor with justice.

14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;

    and precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!

    May gold of Sheba be given to him.

May prayer be made for him continually,

    and blessings invoked for him all day long.

17 May his name endure forever,

    his fame continue as long as the sun.

May all nations be blessed in him;[a]

    may they pronounce him happy.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 72:17 Or bless themselves by him

Luke 4: The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

    because he has anointed me

        to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

    and recovery of sight to the blind,

        to let the oppressed go free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

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