Wednesday 29 August 2029

9For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail;for working night and day,that we might not burden any of you,we preached to you the Good News of God.10You are witnesses with God how holy,righteously,and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.11As you know, we exhorted,comforted, and implored every one of you,as a father does his own children,12to the end that you should walk worthily of God,who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.

13For this cause we also thank God without ceasing thatwhen you received from us the word of the message of God,you accepted it not as the word of men,but as it is in truth,God’s word, which also works in you who believe.

7Where could I go from your Spirit?Or where could I flee from your presence?8If I ascend up into heaven, you are there.If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!

9If I take the wings of the dawn,and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,10even there your hand will lead me,and your right hand will hold me.

11If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me.The light around me will be night,”12even the darkness doesn’t hide from you,but the night shines as the day.The darkness is like light to you.

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.