Tuesday 29 August 2023

1For you yourselves know,brothers, our visit to you wasn’t in vain,2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated,as you know, at Philippi,we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.3For our exhortation is not of error,nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.4But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak—not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.5For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery,as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),6nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others),when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.7But we were gentle among you,like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

8Even so, affectionately longing for you,we were well pleased to impart to you not the Good News of God only,but also our own souls,because you had become very dear to us.

1Lord, you have searched me,and you know me.2You know my sitting down and my rising up.You perceive my thoughts from afar.3You search out my path and my lying down,and are acquainted with all my ways.

4For there is not a word on my tongue,but behold, Lord, you know it altogether.5You hem me in behind and before.You laid your hand on me.6This knowledge is beyond me.It’s lofty.I can’t attain it.

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.