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Daily Readings for November 1
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2Chronicles 30
1.Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel. 2.For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to keep the Passover in the second month. 3.For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. 4.The thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly. 5.So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem: for they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written. 6.So the couriers went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, "You children of Israel, turn again to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that have escaped of you out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7.Don't be like your fathers, and like your brothers, who trespassed against Yahweh, the God of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as you see. 8.Now don't be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves to Yahweh, and enter into his sanctuary, which he has sanctified forever, and serve Yahweh your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. 9.For if you turn again to Yahweh, your brothers and your children shall find compassion before those who led them captive, and shall come again into this land: for Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him."
10.So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even to Zebulun: but they ridiculed them, and mocked them. 11.Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. 12.Also on Judah came the hand of God to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Yahweh. 13.Many people assembled at Jerusalem to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly. 14.They arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron. 15.Then they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh. 16.They stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of the hand of the Levites. 17.For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Yahweh. 18.For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, "May the good Yahweh pardon everyone 19.who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his fathers, even if they aren't clean according to the purification of the sanctuary."
20.Yahweh listened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 21.The children of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised Yahweh day by day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh. 22.Hezekiah spoke comfortably to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and making confession to Yahweh, the God of their fathers. 23.The whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days; and they kept another seven days with gladness. 24.For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly for offerings one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. 25.All the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the assembly who came out of Israel, and the foreigners who came out of the land of Israel, and who lived in Judah, rejoiced. 26.So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. 27.Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy habitation, even to heaven.
Daniel 10
1.In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, even a great warfare: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2.In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. 3.I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4.In the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel, 5.I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were adorned with pure gold of Uphaz: 6.his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7.I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men who were with me didn't see the vision; but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8.So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9.Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. 10.Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11.He said to me, Daniel, you man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for am I now sent to you. When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling. 12.Then he said to me, Don't be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard: and I have come for your words' sake. 13.But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14.Now I have come to make you understand what shall happen to your people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for [many] days: 15.and when he had spoken to me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was mute. 16.Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, my lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows are turned on me, and I retain no strength. 17.For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me. 18.Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. 19.He said, "Greatly beloved man, don't be afraid: peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong."
When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, "Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me."
20.Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go forth, behold, the prince of Greece shall come. 21.But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince."
Acts 10
1.Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2.a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God. 3.At about the ninth hour of the day40, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
4.He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is it, Lord?"
He said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God. 5.Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is surnamed Peter. 6.He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.41"
7.When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually. 8.Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9.Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. 10.He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance. 11.He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, 12.in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky. 13.A voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!"
14.But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."
15.A voice came to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean." 16.This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven. 17.Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, 18.and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there. 19.While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three42 men seek you. 20.But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."
21.Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?"
22.They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say." 23.So he called them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24.On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends. 25.When it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. 26.But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a man." 27.As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together. 28.He said to them, "You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn't call any man unholy or unclean. 29.Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?"
30.Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour,43 I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31.and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. 32.Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.' 33.Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."
34.Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism; 35.but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36.The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all-- 37.you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38.even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39.We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also44 killed, hanging him on a tree. 40.God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, 41.not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42.He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. 43.All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins."
44.While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. 45.They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. 46.For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God.
Then Peter answered, 47."Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?" 48.He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.