33 Day Bible Reading Challenge - Day 12

 

Day 12/33 

Matthew 5:33-48

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

   

Psalm 12

For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.

1 Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore;

    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;

    they flatter with their lips

    but harbor deception in their hearts.

3 May the LORD silence all flattering lips

    and every boastful tongue—

4 those who say,

    “By our tongues we will prevail;

    our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,

    I will now arise,” says the LORD.

    “I will protect them from those who malign them.”

6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,

    like silver purified in a crucible,

    like gold refined seven times.

7 You, LORD, will keep the needy safe

    and will protect us forever from the wicked,

8 who freely strut about

    when what is vile is honored by the human race.