Even if for the present I would avoid the punishment of mortals, yet whether I live or die I will not escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by bravely giving up my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age and leave to the young a noble example of how to…
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Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and…
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Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:‘Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb? Job 38:1,8-11, NRSV Much of the book of Job consists of his lament over the sufferings and hardship that he both witnessed and directly experienced. Job had much to lament since he had lost…
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Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, NRSV At the end of today’s reading, Paul presents us with the paradox of strength in weakness. Earlier in this reading, Paul revealed that he had undergone…
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But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far…
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I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, your thoughts…
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The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, NRSV Paul again writes about giving…
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We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, NRSV Paul needed to deal with…
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On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it (a sprig from a cedar tree),in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Ezekiel 17:22-24, NRSV The prophet Ezekiel was speaking to the exiled Jews in Babylon. These were a people who had lost so much – their…
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So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their…
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