Monday 29 August 2011

13But we don’t want you to be ignorant,brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep,so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope.14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,even so God will bring with him thosewho have fallen asleep in Jesus.15For this we tell you by the word of the Lord,that we who are alive,who are left until the coming of the Lord,will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet.The dead in Christ will rise first,17then we who are alive,who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.So we will be with the Lord forever.18Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1Sing to the Lord a new song!Sing to the Lord, all the earth.3Declare his glory among the nations,his marvelous works among all the peoples.

4For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised!He is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the peoples are idols,but the Lord made the heavens.

11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.Let the sea roar, and its fullness!12Let the field and all that is in it exult!Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy

13before the Lord; for he comes,for he comes to judge the earth.He will judge the world with righteousness,the peoples with his truth.

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.