Wednesday, February 24

17And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

18Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.

19And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'

20When the men had come to Him, they said, 'John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?' '

21And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

22Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

23And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.'

24When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

25But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.

26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

27This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'

28For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.'

29And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

1Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

2that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

3knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

4and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'

5For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

6by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

7But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

11Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

13Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

14Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

15and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

16as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

17You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

6For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

8We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—

10always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

11For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

12So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak,

14knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

15For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

24'But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;

25the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

27And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

28'Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.

29So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!

30Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

31Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

2And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

3and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'

4Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

5The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

6And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.'

7As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

8But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

9But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

10For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'

11'Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

14And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

15He who has ears to hear, let him hear!