Home > Reading > Daily Reading – May 20, 2019

Proverbs 29 (ESV)

29 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

By justice a king builds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.

An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.

If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

10  Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.

11  A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.

12  If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.

13  The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

14  If a king faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will be established forever.

15  The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16  When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17  Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.

18  Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.

19  By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.

20  Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21  Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.

22  A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.

23  One’s pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24  The partner of a thief hates his own life;
he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

25  The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

26  Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

27  An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

Psalm 119:97–104 (ESV)

MEM

97  Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

98  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.

99  I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.

100  I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.

101  I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.

102  I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.

103  How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104  Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

2 Peter 1:16–21 (ESV)

Christ’s Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

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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