Zeph. 3:9–13

3:9 and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan—the mystery that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. 10The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. 11This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s faithfulness. 13For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Ps. 119:57–64

119:57 ח (Khet)

The Lord is my source of security.

I have determined to follow your instructions.

58I seek your favor with all my heart.

Have mercy on me as you promised.

59I consider my actions

and follow your rules.

60I keep your commands eagerly

and without delay.

61The ropes of the wicked tighten around me,

but I do not forget your law.

62In the middle of the night I arise to thank you

for your just regulations.

63I am a friend to all your loyal followers

and to those who keep your precepts.

64O Lord, your loyal love fills the earth.

Teach me your statutes!

Luke 22:66–23:16

22:66 When day came, the council of the elders of the people gathered together, both the chief priests and the experts in the law. Then they led Jesus away to their council 67and said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” He answered them, “You say that I am.” 71Then they said, “Why do we need further testimony? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”

23:1 Then the whole group of them rose up and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar and claiming that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He replied, “You say so.” 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5But they persisted in saying, “He incites the people by teaching throughout all Judea. It started in Galilee and ended up here!”

6Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7When he learned that he was from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who also happened to be in Jerusalem at that time. 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some miraculous sign. 9So Herod questioned him at considerable length; Jesus gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the experts in the law were there, vehemently accusing him. 11Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, dressing him in elegant clothes, Herod sent him back to Pilate. 12That very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other, for prior to this they had been enemies.

13Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. When I examined him before you, I did not find this man guilty of anything you accused him of doing. 15Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, he has done nothing deserving death. 16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”