Friday, December 3

9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

12And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16Rejoice always,

17pray without ceasing,

18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19Do not quench the Spirit.

20Do not despise prophecies.

21Test all things; hold fast what is good.

22Abstain from every form of evil.

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

25Brethren, pray for us.

26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

19And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.

20So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.

21Then they asked Him, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth:

22Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?'

23But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 'Why do you test Me?

24Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?'

25They answered and said, 'Caesar's.' And He said to them, 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.'

26But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.