Exodus 18

• 1. Word soon reached Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, about all the wonderful things God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He had heard about how the LORD had brought them safely out of Egypt.
• 2. Some time before this, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons to live with Jethro, his father-in-law.
• 3. The name of Moses' first son was Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land."
• 4. The name of his second son was Eliezer, for Moses had said at his birth, "The God of my fathers was my helper; he delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh."
• 5. Jethro now came to visit Moses, and he brought Moses' wife and two sons with him. They arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God.
• 6. Moses was told, "Jethro, your father-in-law, has come to visit you. Your wife and your two sons are with him."
• 7. So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed to him respectfully and greeted him warmly. They asked about each other's health and then went to Moses' tent to talk further.
• 8. Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to rescue Israel from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. He also told him about the problems they had faced along the way and how the LORD had delivered his people from all their troubles.
• 9. Jethro was delighted when he heard about all that the LORD had done for Israel as he brought them out of Egypt.
• 10. "Praise be to the LORD," Jethro said, "for he has saved you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. He has rescued Israel from the power of Egypt!
• 11. I know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because his people have escaped from the proud and cruel Egyptians."
• 12. Then Jethro presented a burnt offering and gave sacrifices to God. As Jethro was doing this, Aaron and the leaders of Israel came out to meet him. They all joined him in a sacrificial meal in God's presence.
• 13. The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening.
• 14. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help."
• 15. Moses replied, "Well, the people come to me to seek God's guidance.
• 16. When an argument arises, I am the one who settles the case. I inform the people of God's decisions and teach them his laws and instructions."
• 17. "This is not good!" his father-in-law exclaimed.
• 18. "You're going to wear yourself out--and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.
• 19. Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing him their questions to be decided.
• 20. You should tell them God's decisions, teach them God's laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives.
• 21. But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
• 22. These men can serve the people, resolving all the ordinary cases. Anything that is too important or too complicated can be brought to you. But they can take care of the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.
• 23. If you follow this advice, and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace."
• 24. Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions.
• 25. He chose capable men from all over Israel and made them judges over the people. They were put in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
• 26. These men were constantly available to administer justice. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but they judged the smaller matters themselves.
• 27. Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.

Luke 22

• 1. The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which begins with the Passover celebration, was drawing near.
• 2. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were actively plotting Jesus' murder. But they wanted to kill him without starting a riot, a possibility they greatly feared.
• 3. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples,
• 4. and he went over to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.
• 5. They were delighted that he was ready to help them, and they promised him a reward.
• 6. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him quietly when the crowds weren't around.
• 7. Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lambs were sacrificed.
• 8. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, "Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together."
• 9. "Where do you want us to go?" they asked him.
• 10. He replied, "As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters,
• 11. say to the owner, 'The Teacher asks, Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?'
• 12. He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is the place. Go ahead and prepare our supper there."
• 13. They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover supper there.
• 14. Then at the proper time Jesus and the twelve apostles sat down together at the table.
• 15. Jesus said, "I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.
• 16. For I tell you now that I won't eat it again until it comes to fulfillment in the Kingdom of God."
• 17. Then he took a cup of wine, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, "Take this and share it among yourselves.
• 18. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come."
• 19. Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
• 20. After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This wine is the token of God's new covenant to save you--an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.
• 21. "But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.
• 22. For I, the Son of Man, must die since it is part of God's plan. But how terrible it will be for my betrayer!"
• 23. Then the disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.
• 24. And they began to argue among themselves as to who would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom.
• 25. Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called 'friends of the people.'
• 26. But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
• 27. Normally the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But not here! For I am your servant.
• 28. You have remained true to me in my time of trial.
• 29. And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right
• 30. to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
• 31. "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat.
• 32. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers."
• 33. Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you."
• 34. But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. The rooster will not crow tomorrow morning until you have denied three times that you even know me."
• 35. Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler's bag, or extra clothing, did you lack anything?No," they replied.
• 36. "But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your clothes and buy one!
• 37. For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: 'He was counted among those who were rebels.' Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true."
• 38. "Lord," they replied, "we have two swords among us.That's enough," he said.
• 39. Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives.
• 40. There he told them, "Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation."
• 41. He walked away, about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,
• 42. "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."
• 43. Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.
• 44. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
• 45. At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief.
• 46. "Why are you sleeping?" he asked. "Get up and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you."
• 47. But even as he said this, a mob approached, led by Judas, one of his twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus and greeted him with a kiss.
• 48. But Jesus said, "Judas, how can you betray me, the Son of Man, with a kiss?"
• 49. When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, "Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!"
• 50. And one of them slashed at the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear.
• 51. But Jesus said, "Don't resist anymore." And he touched the place where the man's ear had been and healed him.
• 52. Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard and the other leaders who headed the mob. "Am I some dangerous criminal," he asked, "that you have come armed with swords and clubs to arrest me?
• 53. Why didn't you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns."
• 54. So they arrested him and led him to the high priest's residence, and Peter was following far behind.
• 55. The guards lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there.
• 56. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, "This man was one of Jesus' followers!"
• 57. Peter denied it. "Woman," he said, "I don't even know the man!"
• 58. After a while someone else looked at him and said, "You must be one of them!No, man, I'm not!" Peter replied.
• 59. About an hour later someone else insisted, "This must be one of Jesus' disciples because he is a Galilean, too."
• 60. But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about." And as soon as he said these words, the rooster crowed.
• 61. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times."
• 62. And Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly.
• 63. Now the guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him.
• 64. They blindfolded him; then they hit him and asked, "Who hit you that time, you prophet?"
• 65. And they threw all sorts of terrible insults at him.
• 66. At daybreak all the leaders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council,
• 67. and they said, "Tell us if you are the Messiah." But he replied, "If I tell you, you won't believe me.
• 68. And if I ask you a question, you won't answer.
• 69. But the time is soon coming when I, the Son of Man, will be sitting at God's right hand in the place of power."
• 70. They all shouted, "Then you claim you are the Son of God?" And he replied, "You are right in saying that I am."
• 71. "What need do we have for other witnesses?" they shouted. "We ourselves heard him say it."

Job 37

• 1. "My heart pounds as I think of this. It leaps within me.
• 2. Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth.
• 3. It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes out in every direction.
• 4. Then comes the roaring of the thunder--the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain the thunder when he speaks.
• 5. God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We cannot comprehend the greatness of his power.
• 6. "He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down.
• 7. Everyone stops working at such a time so they can recognize his power.
• 8. The wild animals hide in the rocks or in their dens.
• 9. The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold.
• 10. God's breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water.
• 11. He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning.
• 12. The clouds turn around and around under his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
• 13. He causes things to happen on earth, either as a punishment or as a sign of his unfailing love.
• 14. "Listen, Job; stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!
• 15. Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash forth from his clouds?
• 16. Do you understand how he balances the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?
• 17. When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies down and everything is still,
• 18. he makes the skies reflect the heat like a giant mirror. Can you do that?
• 19. "You think you know so much, so teach the rest of us what to say to God. We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
• 20. Should God be told that I want to speak? Can we speak when we are confused?
• 21. We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds.
• 22. Golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
• 23. We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, yet he is so just and merciful that he does not oppress us.
• 24. No wonder people everywhere fear him. People who are truly wise show him reverence."

New Living Translation: 67 of 365 days.