Wednesday, November 10

18And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

19For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

20and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

21And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

22in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

23if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

48But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

49'I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

50But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!

51Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

52For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three.

53Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.'

54Then He also said to the multitudes, 'Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is.

55And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is.

56Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

57'Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?

58When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

59I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.'