Matthew 19:30

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.

Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win.

Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”

Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

But many who are first will be last; and the last first.”

Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it,

Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently,

Yahweh’s hand was there on me; and he said to me, “Arise, go out into the plain, and I will talk with you there.”

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

Nicodemus (he who came to him by night, being one of them) said to them,

But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered.

which has come to you, even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth,

Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, that lies between my breasts.

spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree; myrrh and aloes, with all the best spices,

until the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is considered a forest.

yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

For I tell you that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper.’ ”

(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom:

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was called Mark.

Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.

as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.”

All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.

They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel,

He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”

It will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes.

For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;

If you will not listen, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to my name,” says Yahweh of Armies, “then I will send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart.

“Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.

Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.

Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.

The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region.

As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”

“Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”

through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;

for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.

But they didn’t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”

Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who didn’t seek me. I was revealed to those who didn’t ask for me.”

For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

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For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me if I don’t preach the Good News.

throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.

punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,

Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,

By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.

So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear,

She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you. So does Mark, my son.

Isn’t it yet a very little while, and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will be regarded as a forest?

Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.

Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”

Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.

But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.”

So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.

The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”