Exodus 7

• 1. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh. Your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet; he will speak for you.
• 2. Tell Aaron everything I say to you and have him announce it to Pharaoh. He will demand that the people of Israel be allowed to leave Egypt.
• 3. But I will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.
• 4. Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will crush Egypt with a series of disasters, after which I will lead the forces of Israel out with great acts of judgment.
• 5. When I show the Egyptians my power and force them to let the Israelites go, they will realize that I am the LORD."
• 6. So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them.
• 7. Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three at the time they made their demands to Pharaoh.
• 8. Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
• 9. "Pharaoh will demand that you show him a miracle to prove that God has sent you. When he makes this demand, say to Aaron, `Throw down your shepherd's staff,' and it will become a snake."
• 10. So Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh, and they performed the miracle just as the LORD had told them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his court, and it became a snake.
• 11. Then Pharaoh called in his wise men and magicians, and they did the same thing with their secret arts.
• 12. Their staffs became snakes, too! But then Aaron's snake swallowed up their snakes.
• 13. Pharaoh's heart, however, remained hard and stubborn. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted.
• 14. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh is very stubborn, and he continues to refuse to let the people go.
• 15. So go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes down to the river. Stand on the riverbank and meet him there. Be sure to take along the shepherd's staff that turned into a snake.
• 16. Say to him, `The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say, "Let my people go, so they can worship me in the wilderness." Until now, you have refused to listen to him.
• 17. Now the LORD says, "You are going to find out that I am the LORD." Look! I will hit the water of the Nile with this staff, and the river will turn to blood.
• 18. The fish in it will die, and the river will stink. The Egyptians will not be able to drink any water from the Nile.'"
• 19. Then the LORD said to Moses: "Tell Aaron to point his staff toward the waters of Egypt--all its rivers, canals, marshes, and reservoirs. Everywhere in Egypt the water will turn into blood, even the water stored in wooden bowls and stone pots in the people's homes."
• 20. So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. As Pharaoh and all of his officials watched, Aaron raised his staff and hit the water of the Nile. Suddenly, the whole river turned to blood!
• 21. The fish in the river died, and the water became so foul that the Egyptians couldn't drink it. There was blood everywhere throughout the land of Egypt.
• 22. But again the magicians of Egypt used their secret arts, and they, too, turned water into blood. So Pharaoh's heart remained hard and stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had predicted.
• 23. Pharaoh returned to his palace and put the whole thing out of his mind.
• 24. Then the Egyptians dug wells along the riverbank to get drinking water, for they couldn't drink from the river.
• 25. An entire week passed from the time the LORD turned the water of the Nile to blood.

Luke 12

• 1. Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and crushing each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees--beware of their hypocrisy.
• 2. The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public.
• 3. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
• 4. "Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill the body; they cannot do any more to you.
• 5. But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill people and then throw them into hell.
• 6. "What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.
• 7. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
• 8. "And I assure you of this: If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I, the Son of Man, will openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God's angels.
• 9. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before God's angels.
• 10. Yet those who speak against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but anyone who speaks blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
• 11. "And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about what to say in your defense,
• 12. for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs to be said even as you are standing there."
• 13. Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."
• 14. Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?"
• 15. Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."
• 16. And he gave an illustration: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.
• 17. In fact, his barns were full to overflowing.
• 18. So he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything.
• 19. And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!'
• 20. "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?'
• 21. "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."
• 22. Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear.
• 23. For life consists of far more than food and clothing.
• 24. Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!
• 25. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not!
• 26. And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?
• 27. "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
• 28. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!
• 29. And don't worry about food--what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you.
• 30. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs.
• 31. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
• 32. "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
• 33. "Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe--no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.
• 34. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
• 35. "Be dressed for service and well prepared,
• 36. as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.
• 37. There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for his return. I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!
• 38. He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready!
• 39. "Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would not permit the house to be broken into.
• 40. You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."
• 41. Peter asked, "Lord, is this illustration just for us or for everyone?"
• 42. And the Lord replied, "I'm talking to any faithful, sensible servant to whom the master gives the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family.
• 43. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.
• 44. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
• 45. But if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk--
• 46. well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful.
• 47. The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it.
• 48. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.
• 49. "I have come to bring fire to the earth, and I wish that my task were already completed!
• 50. There is a terrible baptism ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.
• 51. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to bring strife and division!
• 52. From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against--or the other way around.
• 53. There will be a division between father and son, mother and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law."
• 54. Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, 'Here comes a shower.' And you are right.
• 55. When the south wind blows, you say, 'Today will be a scorcher.' And it is.
• 56. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but you can't interpret these present times.
• 57. "Why can't you decide for yourselves what is right?
• 58. If you are on the way to court and you meet your accuser, try to settle the matter before it reaches the judge, or you may be sentenced and handed over to an officer and thrown in jail.
• 59. And if that happens, you won't be free again until you have paid the last penny."

Job 25

• 1. Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
• 2. "God is powerful and dreadful. He enforces peace in the heavens.
• 3. Who is able to count his heavenly army? Does his light not shine on all the earth?
• 4. How can a mere mortal stand before God and claim to be righteous? Who in all the earth is pure?
• 5. God is so glorious that even the moon and stars scarcely shine compared to him.
• 6. How much less are mere people, who are but worms in his sight?"

Job 26

• 1. Then Job spoke again:
• 2. "How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved a person who has no strength!
• 3. How you have enlightened my stupidity! What wise things you have said!
• 4. Where have you gotten all these wise sayings? Whose spirit speaks through you?
• 5. "The dead tremble in their place beneath the waters.
• 6. The underworld is naked in God's presence. There is no cover for the place of destruction.
• 7. God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.
• 8. He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds do not burst with the weight.
• 9. He shrouds his throne with his clouds.
• 10. He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundaries for day and night.
• 11. The foundations of heaven tremble at his rebuke.
• 12. By his power the sea grew calm. By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.
• 13. His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
• 14. "These are some of the minor things he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who can understand the thunder of his power?"

New Living Translation: 56 of 365 days.