Tuesday 19 March 2024

4That same night, the Lord’s word came to Nathan, saying,5“Go and tell my servant David,‘The Lord says, “Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?· · · verses 6–11 are not read12When your days are fulfilledand you sleep with your fathers,I will set up your offspring after you,who will proceed out of your body,and I will establish his kingdom.13He will build a house for my name,and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.14I will be his father, and he will be my son.If he commits iniquity,I will chasten him with the rod of menand with the stripes of the children of men;· · · verse 15 is not read16Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you.Your throne will be established forever.”’”

2I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.3I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever.You established the heavens.Your faithfulness is in them.”

4“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,I have sworn to David, my servant,5‘I will establish your offspring forever,and build up your throne to all generations.’”

27He will call to me, ‘You are my Father,my God, and the rock of my salvation!’29I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.My covenant will stand firm with him.

13For the promise to Abraham and to his offspringthat he would be heir of the world wasn’t through the law,but through the righteousness of faith.

· · · verses 14–15 are not read16For this cause it is of faith,that it may be according to grace,to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring,not to that only which is of the law,but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham,who is the father of us all.17As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.”This is in the presence of him whom he believed:God, who gives life to the dead,and calls the things that are not,as though they were.18Against hope, Abraham in hope believed,to the end that he might become a father of many nations,according to that which had been spoken,“So will your offspring be.”· · · verses 19–21 are not read22Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.”

16Jacob became the father of Joseph,the husband of Mary,from whom was born Jesus,who is called Christ.

· · · verse 17 is not read18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this:After his mother, Mary,was engaged to Joseph,before they came together,she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.19Joseph, her husband,being a righteous man,and not willing to make her a public example,intended to put her away secretly.20But when he thought about these things,behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,saying, “Joseph, son of David,don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary as your wife,for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.21She shall give birth to a son.You shall name him Jesus,for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”

· · · verses 22–23 are not read24Joseph arose from his sleep,and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him,and took his wife to himself;