Thursday 29 August 2041

7For this cause, brothers,we were comforted over you in all our distressand affliction through your faith.8For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.9For what thanksgiving can we give again to God for you,for all the joy withwhich we rejoice for your sakes before our God,10night and day praying exceedinglythat we may see your faceand may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11Now may our God and Father himself,and our Lord Jesus Christ,direct our way to you.12May the Lord make you to increaseand abound in love toward one another and toward all men,even as we also do toward you,13to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our Godand Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

3You turn man to destruction, saying,“Return, you children of men.”4For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past,like a watch in the night.5You sweep them away as they sleep.In the morning they sprout like new grass.

12So teach us to count our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom.13Relent, Lord!How long?Have compassion on your servants!

14Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness,that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.17Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us.Establish the work of our hands for us.Yes, establish the work of our hands.

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.