Saturday 19 June 2021

1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast,but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.2I know a man in Christwho was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body,I don’t know, or whether out of the body,I don’t know; God knows.3I know such a man (whether in the body,or outside of the body,I don’t know; God knows),4how he was caught up into Paradiseand heard unspeakable words,which it is not lawful for a man to utter.5On behalf of such a one I will boast,but on my own behalf I will not boast,except in my weaknesses.6For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish;for I will speak the truth.But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me thanthat which he sees in me or hears from me.7By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations,that I should not be exalted excessively,a thorn in the flesh was given to me:a messenger of Satan to torment me,that I should not be exalted excessively.8Concerning this thing,I begged the Lord three timesthat it might depart from me.9He has said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you,for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses,that the power of Christ may rest on me.

10Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses,in injuries, in necessities,in persecutions, and in distresses,for Christ’s sake.For when I am weak, then am I strong.

8The Lord’s angel encamps around those who fear him,and delivers them.9Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

10Oh fear the Lord, you his saints,for there is no lack with those who fear him.11The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger,but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

12Come, you children, listen to me.I will teach you the fear of the Lord.13Who is someone who desires life,and loves many days, that he may see good?

24“No one can serve two masters,for either he will hate the one and love the other,or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other.You can’t serve both God and Mammon.25Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life:what you will eat, or what you will drink;nor yet for your body, what you will wear.Isn’t life more than food,and the body more than clothing?26See the birds of the sky,that they don’t sow,neither do they reap,nor gather into barns.Your heavenly Father feeds them.Aren’t you of much more value than they?

27“Which of you by being anxious,can add one moment to his lifespan?28Why are you anxious about clothing?Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.They don’t toil, neither do they spin,29yet I tell youthat even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.30But if God so clothes the grass of the field,which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,won’t he much more clothe you,you of little faith?

31“Therefore don’t be anxious,saying, ‘What will we eat?’,‘What will we drink?’or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’32For the Gentiles seek after all these things;for your heavenly Father knowsthat you need all these things.33But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness;and all these things will be given to you as well.34Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow,for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.Each day’s own evil is sufficient.