Friday, February 25, 2022

Fast Day

Titus 3:1-15
John 8:21-30

Titus 3:1-15

[1] Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work,
[2] to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.
[3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another;
[4] but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
[5] he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,
[6] which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
[7] so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
[8] The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men.
[9] But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
[10] As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him,
[11] knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
[12] When I send Artemas or Tych’icus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicop’olis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
[13] Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apol’los on their way; see that they lack nothing.
[14] And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
[15] All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

John 8:21-30

[21] Again he said to them, “I go away, and you will seek me and die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.”
[22] Then said the Jews, “Will he kill himself, since he says, `Where I am going, you cannot come’?”
[23] He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.
[24] I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.”
[25] They said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Even what I have told you from the beginning.
[26] I have much to say about you and much to judge; but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”
[27] They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father.
[28] So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me.
[29] And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.”
[30] As he spoke thus, many believed in him.

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