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Daily Readings for February 18
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Exodus 29
1."This is the thing that you shall do to them to make them holy, to minister to me in the priest's office: take one young bull and two rams without blemish, 2.unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour. 3.You shall put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams. 4.You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 5.You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and clothe him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod; 6.and you shall set the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban. 7.Then you shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him. 8.You shall bring his sons, and put coats on them. 9.You shall clothe them with belts, Aaron and his sons, and bind headbands on them: and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute: and you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons.
10."You shall bring the bull before the Tent of Meeting: and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. 11.You shall kill the bull before Yahweh, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 12.You shall take of the blood of the bull, and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; and you shall pour out all the blood at the base of the altar. 13.You shall take all the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. 14.But the flesh of the bull, and its skin, and its dung, you shall burn with fire outside of the camp: it is a sin offering.
15."You shall also take the one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. 16.You shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood, and sprinkle it around on the altar. 17.You shall cut the ram into its pieces, and wash its innards, and its legs, and put them with its pieces, and with its head. 18.You shall burn the whole ram on the altar: it is a burnt offering to Yahweh; it is a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
19."You shall take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. 20.Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood around on the altar. 21.You shall take of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be made holy, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him. 22.Also you shall take some of the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration), 23.and one loaf of bread, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before Yahweh. 24.You shall put all of this in Aaron's hands, and in his sons' hands, and shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh. 25.You shall take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar on the burnt offering, for a pleasant aroma before Yahweh: it is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
26."You shall take the breast of Aaron's ram of consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh: and it shall be your portion. 27.You shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the thigh of the wave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons: 28.and it shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel; for it is a wave offering: and it shall be a wave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, even their wave offering to Yahweh.
29."The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him, to be anointed in them, and to be consecrated in them. 30.Seven days shall the son who is priest in his place put them on, when he comes into the Tent of Meeting to minister in the holy place.
31."You shall take the ram of consecration, and boil its flesh in a holy place. 32.Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 33.They shall eat those things with which atonement was made, to consecrate and sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat of it, because they are holy. 34.If anything of the flesh of the consecration, or of the bread, remains to the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.
35."You shall do so to Aaron, and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. You shall consecrate them seven days. 36.Every day you shall offer the bull of sin offering for atonement: and you shall cleanse the altar, when you make atonement for it; and you shall anoint it, to sanctify it. 37.Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar, and sanctify it: and the altar shall be most holy; whatever touches the altar shall be holy.
38."Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually. 39.The one lamb you shall offer in the morning; and the other lamb you shall offer at evening: 40.and with the one lamb a tenth part of an ephah24 of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink offering. 41.The other lamb you shall offer at evening, and shall do to it according to the meal offering of the morning, and according to its drink offering, for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 42.It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh, where I will meet with you, to speak there to you. 43.There I will meet with the children of Israel; and the place shall be sanctified by my glory. 44.I will sanctify the Tent of Meeting and the altar: Aaron also and his sons I will sanctify, to minister to me in the priest's office. 45.I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 46.They shall know that I am Yahweh their God, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am Yahweh their God.
Psalm 85
1.Yahweh, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2.You have forgiven the iniquity of your people. You have covered all their sin. Selah. 3.You have taken away all your wrath. You have turned from the fierceness of your anger. 4.Turn us, God of our salvation, and cause your indignation toward us to cease. 5.Will you be angry with us forever? Will you draw out your anger to all generations? 6.Won't you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7.Show us your loving kindness, Yahweh. Grant us your salvation. 8.I will hear what God, Yahweh, will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, his saints; but let them not turn again to folly. 9.Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. 10.Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11.Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. 12.Yes, Yahweh will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase. 13.Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps.
Psalm 86
1.Hear, Yahweh, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2.Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you. 3.Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4.Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5.For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you. 6.Hear, Yahweh, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions. 7.In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me. 8.There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds. 9.All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name. 10.For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone. 11.Teach me your way, Yahweh. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name. 12.I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forevermore. 13.For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol26. 14.God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, and they don't hold regard for you before them. 15.But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth. 16.Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your handmaid. 17.Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me.
Mark 14
1.It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him. 2.For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."
3.While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard--very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head. 4.But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted? 5.For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii,45 and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.
6.But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me. 7.For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me. 8.She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying. 9.Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her."
10.Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them. 11.They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him. 12.On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?"
13.He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, 14.and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' 15.He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there."
16.His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
17.When it was evening he came with the twelve. 18.As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me--he who eats with me."
19.They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And another said, "Surely not I?"
20.He answered them, "It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish. 21.For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."
22.As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body."
23.He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. 24.He said to them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many. 25.Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God." 26.When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27.Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'46 28.However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."
29.But Peter said to him, "Although all will be offended, yet I will not."
30.Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."
31.But he spoke all the more, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." They all said the same thing.
32.They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray." 33.He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed. 34.He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch."
35.He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. 36.He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire."
37.He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you watch one hour? 38.Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
39.Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. 40.Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn't know what to answer him. 41.He came the third time, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42.Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."
43.Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came--and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44.Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely." 45.When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46.They laid their hands on him, and seized him. 47.But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48.Jesus answered them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? 49.I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled."
50.They all left him, and fled. 51.A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him, 52.but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 53.They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.
54.Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire. 55.Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none. 56.For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn't agree with each other. 57.Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58."We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'" 59.Even so, their testimony did not agree.
60.The high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?" 61.But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
62.Jesus said, "I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky."
63.The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses? 64.You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death. 65.Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, "Prophesy!" The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
66.As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came, 67.and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!"
68.But he denied it, saying, "I neither know, nor understand what you are saying." He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.
69.The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, "This is one of them." 70.But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, "You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." 71.But he began to curse, and to swear, "I don't know this man of whom you speak!" 72.The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." When he thought about that, he wept.