Tuesday, December 9

11But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

12having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.

13And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15For some have already turned aside after Satan.

16If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

18For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer is worthy of his wages.'

19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

20Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

21I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

22For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.

23But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,

24which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—

25for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—

26but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27For it is written: 'Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.'

28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

29But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.

30Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? 'Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.'

31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

12But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.

13But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.

14Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;

15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

17And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.

18But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

19By your patience possess your souls.

16'No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.

17For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

18Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.'

19Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.

20And it was told Him by some, who said, 'Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.'

21But He answered and said to them, 'My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.'