Wednesday, January 13

9Be diligent to come to me quickly;

10for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

12And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.

15You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

16At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

21Do your utmost to come before winter.

22Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

1Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him

2and spoke to Him, saying, 'Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?'

3But He answered and said to them, 'I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:

4The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?'

5And they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

6But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.'

7So they answered that they did not know where it was from.

8And Jesus said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'