Friday 29 August 2014

17For Christ sent me not to baptize,but to preach the Good News—not in wisdom of words,so that the cross of Christ wouldn’t be made void.18For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying,but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.19For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise.I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”

20Where is the wise?Where is the scribe?Where is the debater of this age?Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world?21For seeing that in the wisdom of God,the world through its wisdom didn’t know God,it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.22For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,23but we preach Christ crucified,a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks,24but to those who are called,both Jews and Greeks,Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God;25because the foolishness of God is wiser than men,and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous!Praise is fitting for the upright.2Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre.Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.

4For the Lord’s word is right.All his work is done in faithfulness.5He loves righteousness and justice.The earth is full of the loving kindness of the Lord.

10The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing.He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.11The counsel of the Lord stands fast forever,the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

17For Herod himself had sent out and arrested Johnand bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias,his brother Philip’s wife,for he had married her.18For John had said to Herod,“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”19Herodias set herself against himand desired to kill him, but she couldn’t,20for Herod feared John,knowing that he was a righteous and holy man,and kept him safe.When he heard him,he did many things,and he heard him gladly.

21Then a convenient day camewhen Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles,the high officers,and the chief men of Galilee.22When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced,she pleased Herod and those sitting with him.The king said to the young lady,“Ask me whatever you want,and I will give it to you.”23He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me,I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”

24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”

She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”

25She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested,“I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”

26The king was exceedingly sorry,but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests,he didn’t wish to refuse her.27Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guardand commanded to bring John’s head;and he went and beheaded him in the prison,28and brought his head on a platter,and gave it to the young lady;and the young lady gave it to her mother.

29When his disciples heard this,they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.