Friday, January 15, 2021

Fast Day

I Timothy 4:1-12
John 2:23-3:12

I Timothy 4:1-12

[1] Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
[2] through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared,
[3] who forbid marriage and enjoin abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
[4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving;
[5] for then it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
[6] If you put these instructions before the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed.
[7] Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness;
[8] for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
[9] The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance.
[10] For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
[11] Command and teach these things.
[12] Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

John 2:23-3:12

[23] Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did;
[24] but Jesus did not trust himself to them,
[25] because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Chapter 3
[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode’mus, a ruler of the Jews.
[2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
[3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
[4] Nicode’mus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
[5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.’
[8] The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.”
[9] Nicode’mus said to him, “How can this be?”
[10] Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?
[11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.
[12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible is copyright © National Council of Churches of Christ in America