Bible Reading Challenge April 8

April 8 Matthew 27:57-66 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.   Psalm 69:19-36 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;     all my enemies are before you. 20 Scorn has broken my heart     and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none,     for comforters, but I found none. 21 They put gall in my food     and gave me vinegar for my thirst. 22 May the table set before them become a snare;     may it become retribution and a trap. 23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,     and their backs be bent forever. 24 Pour out your wrath on them;     let your fierce anger overtake them. 25 May their place be deserted;     let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute those you wound     and talk about the pain of those you hurt. 27 Charge them with crime upon crime;     do not let them share in your salvation. 28 May they be blotted out of the book of life     and not be listed with the righteous. 29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—     may your salvation, God, protect me. 30 I will praise God’s name in song     and glorify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the LORD more than an ox,     more than a bull with its horns and hooves. 32 The poor will see and be glad—     you who seek God, may your hearts live! 33 The LORD hears the needy     and does not despise his captive people. 34 Let heaven and earth praise him,     the seas and all that move in them, 35 for God will save Zion     and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; 36     the children of his servants will inherit it,     and those who love his name will dwell there.