Reading through the Bible in One Year – Join us for the Journey
3 Maccabees 6, 7 1 Now there was a certain man, Eleazar, famous among the priests of the land, who reached the prime of his life in old age and adorned his life with every virtue. He directed the elders around him to call on the holy God, and he prayed as follows: 2 “O …
Continue reading "Day 212 – 3 Maccabees 6, 7; Psalm 30:15–25; Proverbs 6:13–16; Romans 2"
21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He …
3 Maccabees 5 1 Then the king, filled with wrath and anger and inflexible in every respect, summoned Hermon, the keeper of the elephants. 2 On the following day, he ordered that he take all the elephants—five hundred in number—and get them drunk with plenty of unmingled wine and abundant handfuls of frankincense. Then after …
Continue reading "Day 211 – 3 Maccabees 5; Psalm 30:1–14; Proverbs 6:7–12; Romans 1"
16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called [c]Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. 17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head,18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and …
3 Maccabees 3, 4 1 When the ungodly king heard this, he reached such a point of rage that he was angry not only at the Jews of Alexandria, but even more so against those in the countryside. So he commanded that they all be brought together in one place and put to death by …
Continue reading "Day 210 – 3 Maccabees 3, 4; Psalm 29; Proverbs 6:1–6; Acts 28"
6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, [b]crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me …
3 Maccabees 1, 2 1 When Philopator heard from those who returned that the regions he ruled had been captured by Antiochus, he issued orders to all his infantry and cavalry forces, took his sister Arsinoe along with him, and set out toward the area near Raphia, where the forces of Antiochus were positioned. 2 …
Continue reading "Day 209 – 3 Maccabees 1, 2; Psalm 28; Proverbs 5:20–23; Acts 27:21–44"
15 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” 3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered …
2 Maccabees 14:18-15:39 18 Nevertheless, when Nicanor heard of the bravery of Judas and his men and their courage in battle for their country, he pulled back from deciding the matter by bloodshed. 19 So he sent forth Posidonius, Theodotus, and Mattathias to offer and receive pledges of friendship. 20 After an extensive investigation of …
Continue reading "Day 208 – 2 Maccabees 14:18-15:39; Psalm 27; Proverbs 5:15–19; Acts 27:1–20"
66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he …
2 Maccabees 12:17-14:17 17 From there, they went ninety-five miles and continued on to Charax, to the Jews who were called Toubiani. 18 They did not overtake Timothy in that region, for by then he had departed from there without accomplishing anything; but in one place Timothy left a very strong garrison. 19 Dositheus and …
Continue reading "Day 207 – 2 Maccabees 12:17-14:17; Psalm 26; Proverbs 5:7–14; Acts 26"
53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.55 Now the chief priests …
2 Maccabees 10:24-12:16 24 Now Timothy, who had been defeated previously by the Jews, gathered a very massive and powerful force of mercenaries and assembled cavalry from Asia in no small number. Then he arrived as though he would take Judea captive. 25 As he drew near, Maccabeus and his men made supplication to God …
Continue reading "Day 206 – 2 Maccabees 10:24-12:16; Psalm 25; Proverbs 5:1–6; Acts 25"
43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”45 …
2 Maccabees 8:21-10:23 21 With these words he gave them good courage and prepared them to die on behalf of their laws and their homeland. Then he divided his forces into four parts. 22 He appointed his brothers, Simon and Joseph and Jonathan, each to command a division, putting fifteen hundred soldiers under each. 23 …
Continue reading "Day 205 – 2 Maccabees 8:21-10:23; Psalm 24:12–22; Proverbs 4:24–28; Acts 24"
32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here …
2 Maccabees 7:1-8:20 1 It came about also that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and forced by the king to be bound and tortured with whips and cords until they partook of the unlawful swine’s flesh. 2 One of them, acting as spokesman, said, “What do you intend to ask and learn from …
Continue reading "Day 204 – 2 Maccabees 7:1-8:20; Psalm 24:1–11; Proverbs 4:19–23; Acts 23:12–35"
27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:‘I will strike the Shepherd,And the sheep will be scattered.’28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”29 Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to …
2 Maccabees 4:30-6:31 30 While these things were taking place, it came about that the cities of Tarsus and Mallus revolted because they were given as a gift to Antiochis, the king’s concubine. 31 So the king went quickly to put down the rebellion. He left Andronicus, a man highly regarded, to act as his …
22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.24 And He said to them, “This is …
2 Maccabees 3:1-4:29 1 When the holy city was inhabited in complete peace, because the laws were very well observed on account of the godliness of the high priest Onias and his hatred of wickedness, 2 it happened that the kings themselves honored the place and glorified the temple with very magnificent gifts. 3 Even …
Continue reading "Day 202 – 2 Maccabees 3:1-4:29; Psalm 21:20–32; Proverbs 4:9–12; Acts 22:1–29"
12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”13 And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will …
2 Maccabees 1, 2 1 “The Jewish brothers in Jerusalem and the land of Judea, to their Jewish brothers in Egypt: Greetings and good peace.2 “May God do good to you, and may He remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, His faithful servants. 3 May He give all of you a heart to …
Continue reading "Day 201 – 2 Maccabees 1, 2; Psalm 21:1–19; Proverbs 4:1–8; Acts 21:17–40"
1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.2 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”3 And being in Bethany at the …
1 Maccabees 14:25-16:24 25 The people heard these words and they said, “How can we show our gratitude to Simon and his sons? 26 For he, his brothers, and his father’s house stood strong and waged war with the enemies of Israel by themselves, and secured her freedom.” So they wrote these words on bronze …
Continue reading "Day 200 – 1 Maccabees 14:25-16:24; Psalms 20; Proverbs 3:33–38; Acts 21:1–16"
32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.34 “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to …
1 Maccabees 13:12-14:24 12 Meanwhile, Trypho left from Ptolemais with a large force to come into the land of Judah. Jonathan accompanied him under guard. 13 Now Simon set up camp in Adida, opposite the plain. 14 When Trypho heard that Simon had risen up in place of his brother Jonathan and was about to …
Continue reading "Day 199 – 1 Maccabees 13:12-14:24; Psalms 19; Proverbs 3:28–32; Acts 20:17–38"
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;25 “the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.27 “And then …
1 Maccabees 11:54-13:11 54 Later, Trypho returned and had with him the young boy Antiochus, who put on the crown and became king. 55 All the troops who had cursed Demetrius gathered around him. They fought against Demetrius, who was put to flight. 56 Trypho then captured the elephants and gained control of Antioch. 57 …
Continue reading "Day 198 – 1 Maccabees 11:54-13:11; Psalms 18; Proverbs 3:23–27; Acts 20:1–16"
14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.15 “Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of …
1 Maccabees 10:59-11:53 59 Then King Alexander wrote for Jonathan to meet him. 60 So he journeyed with splendor to Ptolemais and there met the two monarchs. He offered them silver and gold, and gave their friends numerous gifts. Thus he found favor with them.61 Then some troublemakers from Israel, lawless men, also gathered against …
1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”2 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”The Signs …
1 Maccabees 9:54-10:58 54 Then in the one hundred fifty-third year, in the second month, Alcimus issued the command to take down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary. Then he took down the work of the prophets and started to destroy it. 55 At that instant, Alcimus was stricken, his mischief was …
Continue reading "Day 196 – 1 Maccabees 9:54-10:58; Psalm 17:18–32; Proverbs 3:11–16; Acts 19:1–22"
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two [o]mites, which make a [p]quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who …
1 Maccabees 8:1-9:53 1 Then Judas learned of the reputation of the Romans, that they were mighty and behaved well toward all who made a pact with them. They could ensure friendship with as many as came to them, indeed, because they were of great strength. 2 People also told him of their warfare and …
Continue reading "Day 195 – 1 Maccabees 8:1-9:53; Psalm 17:1–17; Proverbs 3:6–10; Acts 18"
35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: ‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand,Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 37 Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” And the …
1 Maccabees 6:18-7:50 18 Now men from the citadel were confining Israel to the area around the sanctuary. They were attempting by whatever means to injure them, and to bring strength to the Gentiles. 19 So he gathered all the men to defeat them. 20 They assembled the army and attacked the city in the …
Continue reading "Day 194 – 1 Maccabees 6:18-7:50; Psalm 16; Proverbs 3:1–5; Acts 17:16–34"
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, [i]perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the [j]first commandment of all?” 29 Jesus answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, …
1 Maccabees 5:1-6:17 1 When the surrounding nations heard the altar was repaired and the sanctuary renewed as before, they were extremely angry. 2 So they resolved to kill the race of Jacob who lived among them, and they began to kill and destroy the people. 3 Thus Judas waged war on the sons of …
Continue reading "Day 193 – 1 Maccabees 5:1-6:17; Psalms 14, 15; Proverbs 2:17–23; Acts 17:1–15"
18 Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he …
1 Maccabees 3:42-4:61 If You will not help us?”54 Then they blew the trumpets and cried out with a loud shout. 55 After this, Judas appointed rulers for the people, leaders for thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens. 56 He ordered those who were building houses, or were betrothed to women, or were growing …
Continue reading "Day 192 – 1 Maccabees 3:42-4:61; Psalms 12, 13; Proverbs 2:10–16; Acts 16:16–40"
13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and [d]care about no one; for You do not [e]regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes …
1 Maccabees 2:15-3:41 Apostasy at Modein15 Now those from the king who were enforcing the apostasy journeyed to the city of Modein to make them offer sacrifice, 16 and many from Israel also came with them. So Mattathias and his sons gathered together. 17 Then those from the king spoke to Mattathias, saying, “You are …
Continue reading "Day 191 – 1 Maccabees 2:15-3:41; Psalms 10, 11; Proverbs 2:6–9; Acts 16:1–15"
12 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to [a]vinedressers and went into a far country. 2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the …
1 Maccabees 1:1-2:14 1 After Alexander, the son of Philip the Macedonian, came out of the land of Kittim and conquered Macedonia, and defeated Darius the king of the Persians and the Medes, and reigned in his place—he was already king of Greece— 2 he then fought numerous wars, conquered fortresses, and slaughtered the kings …
Continue reading "Day 190 – 1 Maccabees 1:1-2:14; Psalm 9:18–39; Proverbs 2:1–5; Acts 15:22–41"
27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask …
Esther 8:12a-10:3k 12a The following is a copy of the letter: 12b The great King Artaxerxes, to the governors of the provinces in the hundred twenty-seven satrapies, from India to Ethiopia, and to the faithful to our interests: Greetings! 12c Many of those who have been frequently honored in the great kindness of their benefactors …
Continue reading "Day 189 – Esther 8:12a-10:3k; Psalm 9:1–17; Proverbs 1:30–35; Acts 15:1–21"
20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed …
Esther 5:1-8:12 1 And it happened on the third day, when she ceased praying, she took off the garments of the solemnity, and put on her glorious apparel. 2 And having become resplendent, appealing to the all-seeing God and Savior, she took with her two of her favorite maids. Upon the one she leaned as …
Continue reading "Day 188 – Esther 5:1-8:12; Psalm 8; Proverbs 1:25–29; Acts 14"
12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said …
Esther 3, 4 1 After these things King Artaxerxes honored Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and elevated him and set his seat above all his friends. 2 All those in the court bowed to him, for thus the king commanded, but Mordecai refused to bow to him. 3 Then those in the court …
Continue reading "Day 187 – Esther 3, 4; Psalm 7; Proverbs 1:20–24; Acts 13:26–52"
11 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to [a]Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says …
Esther 1, 2 Introduction: Mordecai’s Prophetic Dream 1a In the second year of the reign of the great King Artaxerxes, on the first day of Nisan, Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, had a dream. 1b He was a Jewish man living in the …
Continue reading "Day 186 – Esther 1, 2; Psalm 6; Proverbs 1:16–19; Acts 13:1–25"
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Then many warned him …
Judith 14-16 1 Then Judith said to them, “Hear me, my friends; take this head and hang it at the top of the city wall at daybreak. 2 Then when the sun comes up on the horizon, let every able-bodied man take up his weapons and appoint a captain over them. March out of the …
Continue reading "Day 185 – Judith 14-16; Psalm 5; Proverbs 1:11–15; Acts 12"
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on …
Judith 11-13 1 Then Holofernes spoke to her, saying, “Woman, take courage; do not be fearful in your heart. I have never hurt anyone who chooses to serve Nebuchadnezzar, king of the whole earth. 2 Even now, if your people inhabiting the hill country had not held me in such low regard, I would not …
Continue reading "Day 184 – Judith 11-13; Psalms 3, 4; Proverbs 1:6–10; Acts 11"
32 Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of …
Judith 8-10 1 In those days, Judith got word of this matter. She was the daughter of Merari, the son of Ox, the son of Joseph, the son of Oziel, the son of Elkiah, the son of Ananias, the son of Gideon, the son of Raphaim, the son of Ahitub, the son of Elijah, the …
Continue reading "Day 183 – Judith 8-10; Psalms 1, 2; Proverbs 1:1–5; Acts 10:24–48"
23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is [b]for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for …
Judith 5-7 1 It was told to Holofernes, the commander of the Assyrian army, that the Israelites were prepared for war and had blocked the passes in the mountains, fortified all the hilltops, and placed barricades in the plains. 2 He was very angry, and he called all the princes of Moab and the captains …
Continue reading "Day 182 – Judith 5-7; Psalms 150, 151; Proverbs 31:26–30; Acts 10:1–23"
17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not …