Daily Readings for March 9
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Leviticus 16

 

1.Yahweh spoke to Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before Yahweh, and died; 2.and Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron your brother, not to come at all times into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die: for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.

3."Herewith shall Aaron come into the sanctuary: with a young bull for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4.He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be clothed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on. 5.He shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

6."Aaron shall offer the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. 7.He shall take the two goats, and set them before Yahweh at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 8.Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats; one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9.Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for Yahweh, and offer him for a sin offering. 10.But the goat, on which the lot fell for the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before Yahweh, to make atonement for him, to send him away for the scapegoat into the wilderness.

11."Aaron shall present the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull of the sin offering which is for himself. 12.He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil: 13.and he shall put the incense on the fire before Yahweh, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the testimony, so that he will not die. 14.He shall take some of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

15."Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: 16.and he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting, that dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17.No one shall be in the Tent of Meeting when he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, and has made atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

18."He shall go out to the altar that is before Yahweh and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the bull's blood, and some of the goat's blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar. 19.He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and make it holy from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

20."When he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he shall present the live goat. 21.Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. 22.The goat shall carry all their iniquities on himself to a solitary land, and he shall let the goat go in the wilderness.

23."Aaron shall come into the Tent of Meeting, and shall take off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. 24.Then he shall bathe himself in water in a holy place, and put on his garments, and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people. 25.The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.

26."He who lets the goat go for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp. 27.The bull for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried forth outside the camp; and they shall burn their skins, their flesh, and their dung with fire. 28.He who burns them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

29."It shall be a statute to you forever: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and shall do no kind of work, the native-born, or the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you: 30.for on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins you shall be clean before Yahweh. 31.It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict your souls; it is a statute forever. 32.The priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father's place, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments. 33.Then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the Tent of Meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

34."This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year because of all their sins."

It was done as Yahweh commanded Moses.

 

Psalm 119

 

1.Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law. 2.Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart. 3.Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways. 4.You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them. 5.Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes! 6.Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments. 7.I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments. 8.I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me.

9.How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10.With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments. 11.I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12.Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. 13.With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth. 14.I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15.I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways. 16.I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.

105.Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. 106.I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances. 107.I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word. 108.Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances. 109.My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law. 110.The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts. 111.I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112.I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.

113.I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 114.You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. 115.Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116.Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117.Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually. 118.You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain. 119.You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies. 120.My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.

121.I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors. 122.Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me. 123.My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word. 124.Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes. 125.I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies. 126.It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law. 127.Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold. 128.Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.

129.Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them. 130.The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. 131.I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments. 132.Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133.Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me. 134.Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts. 135.Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes. 136.Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law.

137.You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright. 138.You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy. 139.My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words. 140.Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 141.I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts. 142.Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth. 143.Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight. 144.Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

145.I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes. 146.I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes. 147.I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words. 148.My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word. 149.Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances. 150.They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law. 151.You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth. 152.Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.

153.Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don't forget your law. 154.Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise. 155.Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes. 156.Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances. 157.Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies. 158.I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don't observe your word. 159.Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness. 160.All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

161.Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. 162.I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil. 163.I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law. 164.Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances. 165.Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble. 166.I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments. 167.My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly. 168.I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.

169.Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word. 170.Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word. 171.Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172.Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness. 173.Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174.I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight. 175.Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me. 176.I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments.

17.Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word. 18.Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law. 19.I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me. 20.My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times. 21.You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments. 22.Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes. 23.Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24.Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.

25.My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word! 26.I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes. 27.Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28.My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word. 29.Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously! 30.I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me. 31.I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed. 32.I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.

33.Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end. 34.Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart. 35.Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them. 36.Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain. 37.Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways. 38.Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared. 39.Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good. 40.Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.

41.Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word. 42.So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word. 43.Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances. 44.So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever. 45.I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts. 46.I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed. 47.I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them. 48.I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.

49.Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope. 50.This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me. 51.The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don't swerve from your law. 52.I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself. 53.Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law. 54.Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live. 55.I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law. 56.This is my way, that I keep your precepts.

57.Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words. 58.I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word. 59.I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes. 60.I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments. 61.The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law. 62.At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances. 63.I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts. 64.The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.

65.Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh. 66.Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. 67.Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word. 68.You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes. 69.The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts. 70.Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law. 71.It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. 72.The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

73.Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. 74.Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word. 75.Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76.Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant. 77.Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. 78.Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts. 79.Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes. 80.Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.

81.My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word. 82.My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?" 83.For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes. 84.How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85.The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law. 86.All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me! 87.They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts. 88.Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

89.Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever. 90.Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains. 91.Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you. 92.Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93.I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me. 94.I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95.The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes. 96.I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.

97.How I love your law! It is my meditation all day. 98.Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me. 99.I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100.I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts. 101.I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word. 102.I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me. 103.How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth! 104.Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

 

2Corinthians 12

 

1.It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2.I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven. 3.I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows), 4.how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5.On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. 6.For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me. 7.By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. 8.Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9.He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

10.Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 11.I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing. 12.Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works. 13.For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

14.Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15.I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? 16.But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. 17.Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? 18.I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps? 19.Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. 20.For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots; 21.that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.

 

2Corinthians 13

 

1.This is the third time I am coming to you. "At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."¹¹ 2.I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare; 3.seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you. 4.For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you. 5.Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don't you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. 6.But I hope that you will know that we aren't disqualified.

7.Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate. 8.For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9.For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting. 10.For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.

11.Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12.Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13.All the saints greet you. 14.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

 

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