Home > Reading > Daily Reading – May 19, 2019

Proverbs 28 (ESV)

28 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.

When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.

A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law strive against them.

Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit
gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.

10  Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

11  A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

12  When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.

13  Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14  Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15  Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16  A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17  If one is burdened with the blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death;
let no one help him.

18  Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

19  Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

20  A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21  To show partiality is not good,
but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22  A stingy man hastens after wealth
and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

23  Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than he who flatters with his tongue.

24  Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “That is no transgression,”
is a companion to a man who destroys.

25  A greedy man stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

26  Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

27  Whoever gives to the poor will not want,
but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

28  When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Psalm 119:89–96 (ESV)

LAMEDH

89  Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.

90  Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91  By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.

92  If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.

93  I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.

94  I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.

95  The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.

96  I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

2 Peter 1:1–15 (ESV)

Greeting

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

In his Rationis Latomianae Confutatio, written in June during his stay at Wartburg Castle and published in September, Luther declares: “I would rather drink from the fountain than from the brook—will you forbid this? A twofold fact moves me to do this. First, that I would have the Holy Scripture pure in its own power, untainted by any touch, even that of saintly men, and unmixed with any earthly spice.” (21)

–Johann Michael Reu, Luther on the Scriptures

This daily Bible reading guide, Reading the Word of God, was conceived and prepared as a result of the ongoing discussions between representatives of three church bodies: Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC), The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). The following individuals have represented their church bodies and approved this introduction and the reading guide: LCC: President Robert Bugbee; NALC: Bishop John Bradosky, Revs. Mark Chavez, James Nestingen, and David Wendel; LCMS: Revs. Albert Collver, Joel Lehenbauer, John Pless, and Larry Vogel.

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