Joshua 20

• 1. The LORD said to Joshua,
• 2. "Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses.
• 3. Anyone who kills another person unintentionally can run to one of these cities and be protected from the relatives of the one who was killed, for the relatives may seek to avenge the killing.
• 4. "Upon reaching one of these cities, the one who caused the accidental death will appear before the leaders at the city gate and explain what happened. They must allow the accused to enter the city and live there among them.
• 5. If the relatives of the victim come to avenge the killing, the leaders must not release the accused to them, for the death was accidental.
• 6. But the person who caused the death must stay in that city and be tried by the community and found innocent. Then the one declared innocent because the death was accidental must continue to live in that city until the death of the high priest who was in office at the time of the accident. After that, the one found innocent is free to return home."
• 7. The following cities were designated as cities of refuge: Kedesh of Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali; Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim; and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), in the hill country of Judah.
• 8. On the east side of the Jordan River, across from Jericho, the following cities were designated as cities of refuge: Bezer, in the wilderness plain of the tribe of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead, in the territory of the tribe of Gad; and Golan in Bashan, in the land of the tribe of Manasseh.
• 9. These cities were set apart for Israelites as well as the foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed another person could take refuge in one of these cities. In this way, they could escape being killed in revenge prior to standing trial before the community.

Joshua 21

• 1. Then the leaders of the tribe of Levi came to consult with Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the other tribes of Israel.
• 2. They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, "The LORD instructed Moses to give us towns to live in and pasturelands for our cattle."
• 3. So by the command of the LORD the Levites were given as their inheritance the following towns with their pasturelands.
• 4. The descendants of Aaron, who were members of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, were given thirteen towns that were originally assigned to the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.
• 5. The other families of the Kohathite clan were allotted ten towns from the territories of Ephraim, Dan, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
• 6. The clan of Gershon received thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.
• 7. The clan of Merari received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
• 8. So the Israelites obeyed the LORD's command to Moses and assigned these towns and pasturelands to the Levites by casting sacred lots.
• 9. The Israelites gave the following towns from the tribes of Judah and Simeon
• 10. to the descendants of Aaron, who were members of the Kohathite clan within the tribe of Levi, since the sacred lot fell to them first:
• 11. Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, along with its surrounding pasturelands. (Arba was an ancestor of Anak.)
• 12. But the fields beyond the city and the surrounding villages were given to Caleb son of Jephunneh.
• 13. The following towns with their pasturelands were given to the descendants of Aaron the priest: Hebron (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), Libnah,
• 14. Jattir, Eshtemoa,
• 15. Holon, Debir,
• 16. Ain, Juttah, and Beth-shemesh--nine towns from these two tribes.
• 17. From the tribe of Benjamin the priests were given the following towns with their surrounding pasturelands: Gibeon, Geba,
• 18. Anathoth, and Almon--four towns.
• 19. So thirteen towns were given to the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
• 20. The rest of the Kohathite clan from the tribe of Levi was allotted these towns and pasturelands from the tribe of Ephraim:
• 21. Shechem (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), Gezer,
• 22. Kibzaim, and Beth-horon--four towns.
• 23. The following towns and pasturelands were allotted to the priests from the tribe of Dan: Eltekeh, Gibbethon,
• 24. Aijalon, and Gath-rimmon--four towns.
• 25. The half-tribe of Manasseh allotted the following towns with their pasturelands to the priests: Taanach and Gath-rimmon--two towns.
• 26. So ten towns with their pasturelands were given to the rest of the Kohathite clan.
• 27. The descendants of Gershon, another clan within the tribe of Levi, received two towns with their pasturelands from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan (a city of refuge) and Be-eshterah.
• 28. From the tribe of Issachar they received Kishion, Daberath,
• 29. Jarmuth, and En-gannim--four towns with their pasturelands.
• 30. From the tribe of Asher they received Mishal, Abdon,
• 31. Helkath, and Rehob--four towns and their pasturelands.
• 32. From the tribe of Naphtali they received Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge), Hammoth-dor, and Kartan--three towns with their pasturelands.
• 33. So thirteen towns and their pasturelands were allotted to the clan of Gershon.
• 34. The rest of the Levites--the Merari clan--were given the following towns from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah,
• 35. Dimnah, and Nahalal--four towns with their pasturelands.
• 36. From the tribe of Reuben they received Bezer, Jahaz,
• 37. Kedemoth, and Mephaath--four towns with their pasturelands.
• 38. From the tribe of Gad they received Ramoth in Gilead (a city of refuge), Mahanaim,
• 39. Heshbon, and Jazer--four towns with their pasturelands.
• 40. So twelve towns were allotted to the clan of Merari.
• 41. The total number of towns and pasturelands within Israelite territory given to the Levites came to forty-eight.
• 42. Every one of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it.
• 43. So the LORD gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they conquered it and settled there.
• 44. And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD helped them conquer all their enemies.
• 45. All of the good promises that the LORD had given Israel came true.

Acts 1

• 1. Dear Theophilus: In my first book I told you about everything Jesus began to do and teach
• 2. until the day he ascended to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions from the Holy Spirit.
• 3. During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. On these occasions he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
• 4. In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before.
• 5. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
• 6. When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?"
• 7. "The Father sets those dates," he replied, "and they are not for you to know.
• 8. But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
• 9. It was not long after he said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud.
• 10. As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them.
• 11. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!"
• 12. The apostles were at the Mount of Olives when this happened, so they walked the half mile back to Jerusalem.
• 13. Then they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here is the list of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James).
• 14. They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
• 15. During this time, on a day when about 120 believers were present, Peter stood up and addressed them as follows:
• 16. "Brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided the Temple police to arrest Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.
• 17. Judas was one of us, chosen to share in the ministry with us."
• 18. (Judas bought a field with the money he received for his treachery, and falling there, he burst open, spilling out his intestines.
• 19. The news of his death spread rapidly among all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means "Field of Blood.")
• 20. Peter continued, "This was predicted in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.' And again, 'Let his position be given to someone else.'
• 21. "So now we must choose another man to take Judas's place. It must be someone who has been with us all the time that we were with the Lord Jesus--
• 22. from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us into heaven. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection."
• 23. So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
• 24. Then they all prayed for the right man to be chosen. "O Lord," they said, "you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen
• 25. as an apostle to replace Judas the traitor in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs."
• 26. Then they cast lots, and in this way Matthias was chosen and became an apostle with the other eleven.

Jeremiah 10

• 1. Hear the word of the LORD, O Israel!
• 2. This is what the LORD says: "Do not act like other nations who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.
• 3. Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree and carve an idol.
• 4. They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won't fall over.
• 5. There stands their god like a helpless scarecrow in a garden! It cannot speak, and it needs to be carried because it cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good."
• 6. LORD, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power.
• 7. Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you.
• 8. The wisest of people who worship idols are stupid and foolish. The things they worship are made of wood!
• 9. They bring beaten sheets of silver from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz, and they give these materials to skillful craftsmen who make their idols. Then they dress these gods in royal purple robes made by expert tailors.
• 10. But the LORD is the only true God, the living God. He is the everlasting King! The whole earth trembles at his anger. The nations hide before his wrath.
• 11. Say this to those who worship other gods: "Your so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and earth, will vanish from the earth."
• 12. But God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. He has stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
• 13. When he speaks, there is thunder in the heavens. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.
• 14. Compared to him, all people are foolish and have no knowledge at all! They make idols, but the idols will disgrace their makers, for they are frauds. They have no life or power in them.
• 15. Idols are worthless; they are lies! The time is coming when they will all be destroyed.
• 16. But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The LORD Almighty is his name!
• 17. "Pack your bag and prepare to leave; the siege is about to begin,"
• 18. says the LORD. "For suddenly, I will fling you from this land and pour great troubles upon you. At last you will feel my anger."
• 19. My wound is desperate, and my grief is great. My sickness is incurable, but I must bear it.
• 20. My home is gone, and no one is left to help me rebuild it. My children have been taken away, and I will never see them again.
• 21. The shepherds of my people have lost their senses. They no longer follow the LORD or ask what he wants of them. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered.
• 22. Listen! Hear the terrifying roar of great armies as they roll down from the north. The towns of Judah will be destroyed and will become a haunt for jackals.
• 23. I know, LORD, that a person's life is not his own. No one is able to plan his own course.
• 24. So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.
• 25. Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to recognize you--on nations that do not call upon your name. For they have utterly devoured your people Israel, making the land a desolate wilderness.

New Living Translation: 195 of 365 days.