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Daily Bible Reading—December 2024, God’s Guiding Word: Joy

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Psalm 23: First Nations Version

Horizon Church December Bible Reading Plan - Christmas Advent: Jesus, Come

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The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bkJAS">
        <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="JAS.1">
            <div class="label">1</div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JAS.1.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JAS.1.1"><span class="content">To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JAS.1.1"><span class="content">Greetings.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Trials and Temptations</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JAS.1.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="JAS.1.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:2 </span><span class="ft">The Greek word for </span><span class="fq">brothers and sisters </span><span class="ft">(<span class="tl">adelphoi</span>) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God&#8217;s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.</span></span></span><span class="content"> whenever you face trials of many kinds, </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="JAS.1.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="JAS.1.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="JAS.1.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JAS.1.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="JAS.1.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JAS.1.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JAS.1.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="JAS.1.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JAS.1.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">But the rich should take pride in their humiliation&#8212;since they will pass away like a wild flower. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JAS.1.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JAS.1.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JAS.1.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JAS.1.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JAS.1.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">When tempted, no one should say, &#8220;God is tempting me.&#8221; For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="JAS.1.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JAS.1.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JAS.1.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JAS.1.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Don&#8217;t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JAS.1.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JAS.1.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Listening and Doing</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JAS.1.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="JAS.1.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="JAS.1.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="JAS.1.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="JAS.1.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="JAS.1.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="JAS.1.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="JAS.1.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="JAS.1.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it&#8212;not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it&#8212;they will be blessed in what they do.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="JAS.1.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="JAS.1.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="JAS.1.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.</span></span></div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bkPSA">
        <div class="chapter ch51" data-usfm="PSA.51">
            <div class="label">51</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 51</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft"><span class="heading">In Hebrew texts 51:1-19 is numbered 51:3-21.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.51.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Have mercy on me, O God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.51.1"><span class="content">according to your unfailing love;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.51.1"><span class="content">according to your great compassion</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.51.1"><span class="content">blot out my transgressions.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.51.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.51.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Wash away all my iniquity</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.51.2"><span class="content">and cleanse me from my sin.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.51.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.51.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">For I know my transgressions,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.51.3"><span class="content">and my sin is always before me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.51.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.51.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Against you, you only, have I sinned</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.51.4"><span class="content">and done what is evil in your sight;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.51.4"><span class="content">so you are right in your verdict</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.51.4"><span class="content">and justified when you judge.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.51.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.51.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Surely I was sinful at birth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.51.5"><span class="content">sinful from the time my mother conceived me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.51.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.51.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.51.6"><span class="content">you taught me wisdom in that secret place.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.51.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.51.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.51.7"><span class="content">wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.51.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.51.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Let me hear joy and gladness;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.51.8"><span class="content">let the bones you have crushed rejoice.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.51.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.51.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Hide your face from my sins</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.51.9"><span class="content">and blot out all my iniquity.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.51.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.51.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Create in me a pure heart, O God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.51.10"><span class="content">and renew a steadfast spirit within me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.51.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.51.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Do not cast me from your presence</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.51.11"><span class="content">or take your Holy Spirit from me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.51.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.51.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Restore to me the joy of your salvation</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.51.12"><span class="content">and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.51.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.51.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Then I will teach transgressors your ways,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.51.13"><span class="content">so that sinners will turn back to you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.51.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.51.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.51.14"><span class="content">you who are God my Savior,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.51.14"><span class="content">and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.51.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.51.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Open my lips, Lord,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.51.15"><span class="content">and my mouth will declare your praise.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.51.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.51.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.51.16"><span class="content">you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.51.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.51.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">My sacrifice, O God, is</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">51:17 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">The sacrifices of God are</span></span></span><span class="content"> a broken spirit;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.51.17"><span class="content">a broken and contrite heart</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.51.17"><span class="content">you, God, will not despise.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.51.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.51.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">May it please you to prosper Zion,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.51.18"><span class="content">to build up the walls of Jerusalem.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.51.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.51.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.51.19"><span class="content">in burnt offerings offered whole;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.51.19"><span class="content">then bulls will be offered on your altar.</span></span></div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bk1PE">
        <div class="chapter ch3" data-usfm="1PE.3.13">
            <div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1PE.3.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? </span></span></div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

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