Sunday 10 November 2019

1It came to pass that seven brothersand their mother were at the king’s command takenand shamefully handled with scourges and cords,to compel them to taste of the abominable swine’s flesh.2One of them made himself the spokesman and said,“What would you ask and learn from us?For we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.”· · · verses 3–8 are not read9When he was at the last gasp,he said, “You, miscreant,release us out of this present life,but the King of the world will raise uswho have died for his laws up to an everlasting renewal of life.”

10After him, the third was made a victim of their mocking.When he was required,he quickly put out his tongue,and stretched out his hands courageously,11and nobly said, “I got these from heaven.For his laws’ sake I treat these with contempt.From him, I hope to receive these back again.”12As a result, the king himself and thosewho were with him were astonished at the young man’s soul,for he regarded the pains as nothing.

13When he too was dead,they shamefully handledand tortured the fourth in the same way.14Being near to death he said this:“It is good to die at the hands of menand look for the hope which is given by God,that we will be raised up again by him.For as for you, you will have no resurrection to life.”

1Hear, Lord, my righteous plea.Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

5My steps have held fast to your paths.My feet have not slipped.6I have called on you, for you will answer me, God.Turn your ear to me.Hear my speech.

8Keep me as the apple of your eye.Hide me under the shadow of your wings,15As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness.I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,and God our Father,who loved us and gave us eternal comfortand good hope through grace,17comfort your heartsand establish you in every good work and word.

1Finally, brothers,pray for us,that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified,even as also with you,2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men;for not all have faith.3But the Lord is faithful,who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you,that you both do and will do the things we command.5May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s loveand into the perseverance of Christ.

27Some of the Sadducees came to him,those who deny that there is a resurrection.28They asked him, “Teacher,Moses wrote to usthat if a man’s brother dies having a wife,and he is childless,his brother should take the wifeand raise up children for his brother.29There were therefore seven brothers.The first took a wife, and died childless.30The second took her as wife, and he died childless.31The third took her,and likewise the seven all left no children, and died.32Afterward the woman also died.33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be?For the seven had her as a wife.”

34Jesus said to them,“The children of this age marry and are given in marriage.35But those who are considered worthy to attain to that ageand the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.36For they can’t die any more,for they are like the angels and are children of God,being children of the resurrection.37But that the dead are raised,even Moses showed at the bush,when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham,the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’38Now he is not the God of the dead,but of the living,for all are alive to him.”