Friday 29 August 2031

1Finally then, brothers,we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus,that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God,that you abound more and more.2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.3For this is the will of God:your sanctification,that you abstain from sexual immorality,4that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor,5not in the passion of lust,even as the Gentiles who don’t know God,6that no one should take advantage ofand wrong a brother or sister in this matter;because the Lord is an avenger in all these things,as also we forewarned you and testified.7For God called us not for uncleanness,but in sanctification.8Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man,but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.

1The Lord reigns!Let the earth rejoice!Let the multitude of islands be glad!2Clouds and darkness are around him.Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

5The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.6The heavens declare his righteousness.All the peoples have seen his glory.

10You who love the Lord, hate evil!He preserves the souls of his saints.He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11Light is sown for the righteous,and gladness for the upright in heart.12Be glad in the Lord, you righteous people!Give thanks to his holy Name.

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.