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Family Readings

2 Kings 9 · NKJV

1And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said to him, “Get yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead. 2Now when you arrive at that place, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in and make him rise up from among his associates, and take him to an inner room. 3Then take the flask of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, ‘Thus says the Lᴏʀᴅ: “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ Then open the door and flee, and do not delay.” 4So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead. 5And when he arrived, there were the captains of the army sitting; and he said, “I have a message for you, Commander.” Jehu said, “For which one of us?” And he said, “For you, Commander.” 6Then he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, “Thus says the Lᴏʀᴅ God of Israel: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the Lᴏʀᴅ, over Israel. 7You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lᴏʀᴅ, at the hand of Jezebel. 8For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab all the males in Israel, both bond and free. 9So I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. 10The dogs shall eat Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her.’ “ And he opened the door and fled. 11Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, “Is all well? Why did this madman come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the man and his babble.” 12And they said, “A lie! Tell us now.” So he said, “Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lᴏʀᴅ: “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ ” 13Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, “Jehu is king!” 14So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had been defending Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, against Hazael king of Syria. 15But King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds which the Syrians had inflicted on him when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, “If you are so minded, let no one leave or escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.” 16So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram was laid up there; and Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram. 17Now a watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and said, “I see a company of men.” And Joram said, “Get a horseman and send him to meet them, and let him say, ‘Is it peace?’ ” 18So the horseman went to meet him, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.” So the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger went to them, but is not coming back.” 19Then he sent out a second horseman who came to them, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu answered, “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.” 20So the watchman reported, saying, “He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!” 21Then Joram said, “Make ready.” And his chariot was made ready. Then Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot; and they went out to meet Jehu, and met him on the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” So he answered, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?” 23Then Joram turned around and fled, and said to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!” 24Now Jehu drew his bow with full strength and shot Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow came out at his heart, and he sank down in his chariot. 25Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, “Pick him up, and throw him into the tract of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember, when you and I were riding together behind Ahab his father, that the Lᴏʀᴅ laid this burden upon him: 26‘Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,’ says the Lᴏʀᴅ, ‘and I will repay you in this plot,’ says the Lᴏʀᴅ. Now therefore, take and throw him on the plot of ground, according to the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ.” 27But when Ahaziah king of Judah saw this, he fled by the road to Beth Haggan. So Jehu pursued him, and said, “Shoot him also in the chariot.” And they shot him at the Ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. Then he fled to Megiddo, and died there. 28And his servants carried him in the chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the City of David. 29In the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab, Ahaziah had become king over Judah. 30Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. 31Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, “Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?” 32And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. 33Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. 34And when he had gone in, he ate and drank. Then he said, “Go now, see to this accursed woman, and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.” 35So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. 36Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; 37and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, “Here lies Jezebel.” ‘ ”

1 Timothy 6 · NKJV

1Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. 3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 6Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Personal Readings

Hosea 1 · NKJV

1The word of the Lᴏʀᴅ that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 2When the Lᴏʀᴅ began to speak by Hosea, the Lᴏʀᴅ said to Hosea: “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the Lᴏʀᴅ.” 3So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4Then the Lᴏʀᴅ said to him: “Call his name Jezreel, For in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, And bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. 5It shall come to pass in that day That I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6And she conceived again and bore a daughter. Then God said to him: “Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, For I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, But I will utterly take them away. 7Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah, Will save them by the Lᴏʀᴅ their God, And will not save them by bow, Nor by sword or battle, By horses or horsemen.” 8Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. 9Then God said: “Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God. 10“Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’ 11Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel Shall be gathered together, And appoint for themselves one head; And they shall come up out of the land, For great will be the day of Jezreel!

Psalm 119:73-96 · NKJV

1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lᴏʀᴅ! 2Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. 4You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. 7I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly! 9How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You! 12Blessed are You, O Lᴏʀᴅ! Teach me Your statutes! 13With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. 14I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 17Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. 18Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. 19I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. 21You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. 22Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. 23Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors. 25My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. 26I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works. 28My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously. 30I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. 31I cling to Your testimonies; O Lᴏʀᴅ, do not put me to shame! 32I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart. 33Teach me, O Lᴏʀᴅ, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. 34Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. 36Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. 38Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. 39Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. 40Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness. 41Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lᴏʀᴅ— Your salvation according to Your word. 42So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. 43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances. 44So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. 45And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. 46I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. 47And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. 48My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes. 49Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. 50This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. 51The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law. 52I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lᴏʀᴅ, And have comforted myself. 53Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. 54Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. 55I remember Your name in the night, O Lᴏʀᴅ, And I keep Your law. 56This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts. 57You are my portion, O Lᴏʀᴅ; I have said that I would keep Your words. 58I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word. 59I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments. 61The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law. 62At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. 63I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. 64The earth, O Lᴏʀᴅ, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes. 65You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lᴏʀᴅ, according to Your word. 66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments. 67Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. 68You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. 69The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. 70Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. 71It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. 73Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word. 75I know, O Lᴏʀᴅ, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant. 77Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight. 78Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts. 79Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies. 80Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed. 81My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. 82My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?” 83For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes. 84How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law. 86All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me! 87They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts. 88Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. 89Forever, O Lᴏʀᴅ, Your word is settled in heaven. 90Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. 92Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. 93I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life. 94I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. 95The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies. 96I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad. 97Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. 101I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. 102I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. 103How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 105Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. 107I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lᴏʀᴅ, according to Your word. 108Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lᴏʀᴅ, And teach me Your judgments. 109My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. 110The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. 111Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end. 113I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law. 114You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. 115Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God! 116Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually. 118You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood. 119You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies. 120My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments. 121I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors. 122Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the proud oppress me. 123My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word. 124Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes. 125I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies. 126It is time for You to act, O Lᴏʀᴅ, For they have regarded Your law as void. 127Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold! 128Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way. 129Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. 130The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 131I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. 132Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name. 133Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. 134Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. 135Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. 136Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law. 137Righteous are You, O Lᴏʀᴅ, And upright are Your judgments. 138Your testimonies, which You have commanded, Are righteous and very faithful. 139My zeal has consumed me, Because my enemies have forgotten Your words. 140Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it. 141I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. 142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. 143Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights. 144The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live. 145I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lᴏʀᴅ! I will keep Your statutes. 146I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. 147I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word. 148My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word. 149Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lᴏʀᴅ, revive me according to Your justice. 150They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law. 151You are near, O Lᴏʀᴅ, And all Your commandments are truth. 152Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever. 153Consider my affliction and deliver me, For I do not forget Your law. 154Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word. 155Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes. 156Great are Your tender mercies, O Lᴏʀᴅ; Revive me according to Your judgments. 157Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies. 158I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, Because they do not keep Your word. 159Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O Lᴏʀᴅ, according to Your lovingkindness. 160The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. 161Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word. 162I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure. 163I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law. 164Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments. 165Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. 166Lᴏʀᴅ, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments. 167My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. 168I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You. 169Let my cry come before You, O Lᴏʀᴅ; Give me understanding according to Your word. 170Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word. 171My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes. 172My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness. 173Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts. 174I long for Your salvation, O Lᴏʀᴅ, And Your law is my delight. 175Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me. 176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.