2 Chron. 35:20–27

35:20 After Josiah had done all this for the temple, King Necho of Egypt marched up to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River. Josiah marched out to oppose him. 21Necho sent messengers to him, saying, “Why are you opposing me, O king of Judah? I am not attacking you today, but the kingdom with which I am at war. God told me to hurry. Stop opposing God, who is with me, or else he will destroy you.” 22But Josiah did not turn back from him; he disguised himself for battle. He did not take seriously the words of Necho that he had received from God; he went to fight him in the Plain of Megiddo. 23Archers shot King Josiah; the king ordered his servants, “Take me out of this chariot, for I am seriously wounded.” 24So his servants took him out of the chariot, put him in another chariot that he owned, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors; all the people of Judah and Jerusalem mourned Josiah. 25Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah which all the male and female singers use to mourn Josiah to this very day. It has become customary in Israel to sing these; they are recorded in the Book of Laments.

26The rest of the events of Josiah’s reign, including the faithful acts he did in obedience to what is written in the law of the Lord 27and his accomplishments, from start to finish, are recorded in the Scroll of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

Ps. 111

111:1 Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

in the assembly of the godly and the congregation.

2The Lord’s deeds are great,

eagerly awaited by all who desire them.

3His work is majestic and glorious,

and his faithfulness endures forever.

4He does amazing things that will be remembered;

the Lord is merciful and compassionate.

5He gives food to his faithful followers;

he always remembers his covenant.

6He announced that he would do mighty deeds for his people,

giving them a land that belonged to other nations.

7His acts are characterized by faithfulness and justice;

all his precepts are reliable.

8They are forever firm

and should be faithfully and properly carried out.

9He delivered his people;

he ordained that his covenant be observed forever.

His name is holy and awesome.

10To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living;

all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight.

He will receive praise forever.

Luke 18:31–43

18:31 Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; he will be mocked, mistreated, and spat on. 33They will flog him severely and kill him. Yet on the third day he will rise again.” 34But the twelve understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what Jesus meant.

35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was going on. 37They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.” 38So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39And those who were in front scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted even more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40So Jesus stopped and ordered the beggar to be brought to him. When the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, let me see again.” 42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43And immediately he regained his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they too gave praise to God.