Today's Readings and Stuff -- Monday, 05 February 2018

Well, it's Monday.  And we appear to have so far survived the weekend.
I'm sure that there are those who will be spending part of their mornings talking about the Super Bowl game of yesterday.  Not me.  I did not watch one second of it, nor of any NFL games this  year or last year.  Not only am I weary beyond measure at the whole "bread and circuses" thing, but the thuggery of the players and the whole kneeling thing has killed what little interest  -- very little, actually -- that I ever had in the NFL.  People, it's a game.  One that occupies far too much attention in some peoples' lives, and something that should never ever be the focus of someone's life.  Particularly if you're not one of the players.  I don't know any of these people, do you?  Doubtful.  I never got that terribly excited about high school sports even when I was in high school and knew (and generally disliked) most of the players.

Wife may be calling the doctor office this morning, that's not had a real determination yet.  Early yesterday (Sunday) morning she called my attention to a nasty lump on her leg.  It was a nasty blood clot.  She suffers from vasculitis (among several other things) and is prone to these clots, but this was close to the femoral and has some danger potential.  We shall see.

So I went around yesterday afternoon and evening with a terrible sense of doom and foreboding.  My Catholic friends tell me that despair is a sin, and perhaps they are right about that.  Believing that there is a situation or circumstance that the Lord either does not know  or care about, or is powerless to address, is to presume limitations upon Him, and, yes, that is a sin.  But the sense of doom and foreboding is all too real.  Even though we have seen the Lord do some marvelous unexpected blessed things.  I don't think that Jonah really wanted to hitch a ride in a fish's belly, or Daniel to enter the lions' den, or Stephen to be stoned.  I think we would all really prefer that the Lord carry us around the storms rather than through them.  Sometimes He does.  Sometimes not.

A whole 9° degrees here.  Might possibly get all the way up to 24°.  Perhaps.  Still eagerly awaiting that "catastrophic global warming" that Al Gore and all his co-thieves assured us would have already made things like snow a distant memory.  That was supposed to be the case as of 9  or 10 years ago.  A lie, of course, or perhaps just a loudly proclaimed fantasy.  We closed the insane asylums in error.  So these louts run around loose.  Remember the penalty for false prophets?

Our song, "If The Lord Had Not Been On Our Side".    Here's a related one.
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Our Old Testament reading is chapters  21 and 22 of the Exodus.  We saw the 10 Commandments.  This is more.

Exodus 21

21:1 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.

21:2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

21:3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

21:4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.

21:5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:

21:6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.

21:7 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.

21:8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.

21:9 And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.

21:10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

21:11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.

21:12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

21:13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

21:14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

21:15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

21:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

21:17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

21:18 And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:

21:19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.

21:20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.

21:21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.

21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

21:23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,

21:24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

21:25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

21:26 And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

21:27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

21:28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

21:29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

21:30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

21:31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.

21:32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

21:33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;

21:34 The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

21:35 And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.

21:36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

Exodus 22

22:1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

22:2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

22:3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

22:4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

22:6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.

22:7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.

22:8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbor's goods.

22:9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbor.

22:10 If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:

22:11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

22:12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

22:13 If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

22:14 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.

22:15 But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.

22:16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

22:17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

22:19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.

22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

22:22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

22:23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

22:24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.

22:26 If thou at all take thy neighbor's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:

22:27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.

22:28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

22:29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.

22:30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.

22:31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.




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Our poetry portion is Psalm 26

Psalm 26

26:1 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.

26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

26:3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

26:4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.

26:5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

26:6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

26:8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

26:9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

26:10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

26:11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

26:12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.


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In the New Testament, chapter 26 in the Gospel of Matthew.  Jesus has been attracting notice, and some powerful people are pretty mad at Him.

Matthew 26

26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

26:8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

26:18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

26:19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

26:21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

26:23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

26:32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.

26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

26:55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

26:60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

26:61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

26:62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

26:63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

26:68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

26:70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

26:72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Wednesday, 30 April, 2014

running somewhat ragged.  Things are not real clear yet, but it appears that our oldest daughter has developed even more illness than that which she's been fighting since last fall.  More to follow, I suspect.  She sounded awful when she called earlier this afternoon.  She was on phone with Dear Wife several times last night, was heading towards the E.R. the last time I heard which was in the early hours.  Not comforting at all.

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The Old Testament reading is chapters 23 and 24 of 2nd Samuel.  This completes the books of Samuel, ending as the life of David is ending.  David was not a perfect man.  But in many ways he was a giant in the history of the nation.

II Samuel 23

1	Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2	The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3	The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
4	And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
5	Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
6	But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
7	But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
8	These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
9	And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
10	He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
11	And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentils: and the people fled from the Philistines.
12	But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
13	And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
14	And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15	And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
16	And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
17	And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
18	And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
19	Was he not most honorable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
20	And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
21	And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
22	These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
23	He was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
24	Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25	Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26	Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27	Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28	Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29	Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30	Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
31	Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32	Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33	Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
34	Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35	Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
36	Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
37	Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
38	Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
39	Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

II Samuel 24

1	And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
2	For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
3	And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
4	Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
5	And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
6	Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
7	And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
8	So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9	And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
10	And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
11	For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12	Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
13	So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
14	And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
15	So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
16	And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
17	And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
18	And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
19	And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
20	And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21	And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22	And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
23	All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
24	And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25	And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

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The New Testament reading is verses 31-53 of Luke 22

Luke 22:31-53

31	And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32	But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
33	And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34	And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
35	And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36	Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37	For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38	And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
39	And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40	And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41	And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42	Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43	And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44	And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45	And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46	And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
47	And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
48	But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49	When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50	And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51	And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
52	Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
53	When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 29 April 2014

gloomy day.  Been gray and raining All.Day.Long.  Makes a person want to sleep, what we used to call "carnivore syndrome", a theory under which hunting-type creatures on a day like this would know that chances of getting a scent of prey were remote, so would hole up in their dens, save energy, and sleep.  Might have some truth to it.  And this part of the North American continent is actually known as being the most overcast, the least likely to have sunshine and blue skies, around.  Certainly seems determined to live up to that billing. 
But, we had set alarms because we had a doctor's appointment this morning.  Until we got a phone call from the doctor office, doc has the flu and is down and out all week long.  So much for our intentions to Do Great Things Today.  We ate something, and essentially zoned out all day.  Not much else we could do, and the cold and damp and air pressure combined to aggravate Dear Wife's Rheumatoid Arthritis and the after-effects of damaged bones and joints.  Didn't feel real good to me either.  So a wasted day in general.  Dear Wife did go over next door to "watch" the great-niece namesake for a few hours, just getting back now.
I have spent most of the last 45 years working, often long hours and 6 or 7 days per week for months at a time.  This enforced idleness is not good for me. 

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The Old Testament reading for the day is chapters 21 and 22 of 2nd Samuel. 

II Samuel 21

1	Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
2	And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
3	Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
4	And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.
5	And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,
6	Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.
7	But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8	But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
9	And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
10	And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
11	And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
12	And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
13	And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
14	And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
15	Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
16	And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
17	But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
18	And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
19	And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
20	And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
21	And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him.
22	These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

II Samuel 22

1	And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2	And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3	The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4	I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5	When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6	The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7	In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8	Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
9	There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10	He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
11	And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
12	And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13	Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
14	The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
15	And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
16	And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17	He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
18	He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19	They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
20	He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21	The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
22	For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23	For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
24	I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
25	Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
26	With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.
27	With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavory.
28	And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
29	For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
30	For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
31	As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32	For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
33	God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
34	He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
35	He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
36	Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
37	Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
38	I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39	And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
40	For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
41	Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42	They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
43	Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44	Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45	Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46	Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47	The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48	It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.
49	And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50	Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51	He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

======================

The New Testament reading is verses 1-30 from the 22nd chapter of the Gospel of Luke.  This is a very intense episode, one that must have played out in the memories of those who were there, for the rest of their lives.

Luke 22:1-30

1	Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2	And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3	Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4	And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5	And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6	And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
7	Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
8	And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
9	And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10	And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
11	And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
12	And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
13	And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
14	And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15	And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16	For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17	And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18	For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19	And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20	Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
21	But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22	And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
23	And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
24	And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25	And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26	But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27	For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
28	Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29	And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30	That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 12 January 2013

Happy Saturday, I guess.  Yesterday was a tough day.  I had a big deadline running at me, but in the middle of the regular morning Big Meeting, a big issue -- or, more properly, someone making A Big Issue out of a matter below trivial -- at our major customer arose.  So, casting All Else aside, I was detailed into a 62-mile drive, there to be visible and present at the customer's site, to take abuse in several languages over a non-issue for the next 7 hours.  One should not refer to the highly placed functionaries within a customer's organization as idiots.  But I know equivalent terms in several languages, and thought them frequently.  And still do. 
Now I "get" to drive 45 miles one way to my office, there to try to catch up on what I intended to have done by end of day yesterday.  And all for zero pay.  Dear Lord, can You see to it that one of the several potential employers I've been speaking to and meeting with, can come through?  Please??
Oh, and now I feel like the Crud is starting in on me.  Just what we don't need right now.

The Old Testament passage for the day is chapters 29 and 30 of the Genesis.  Jacob has fled his father's house, partly in (justified) fear of his brother Esau, and partly to honor Isaac's admonition to seek a wife from his mother's kin.  He does, and prospers there, and we start to see in his sons the names we see as the tribes of Israel.

Genesis 29

1	Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2	And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
3	And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
4	And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
5	And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6	And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
7	And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8	And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
9	And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them.
10	And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
11	And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12	And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
13	And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
14	And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
15	And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
16	And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17	Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.
18	And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
19	And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
20	And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
21	And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22	And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
23	And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
24	And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
25	And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
26	And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27	Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28	And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29	And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
30	And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
31	And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32	And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
33	And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
34	And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
35	And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Genesis 30

1	And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
2	And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
3	And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
4	And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.
5	And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.
6	And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.
7	And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.
8	And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
9	When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.
10	And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son.
11	And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
12	And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.
13	And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.
14	And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
15	And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.
16	And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.
17	And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.
18	And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.
19	And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.
20	And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
21	And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.
22	And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
23	And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
24	And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.
25	And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.
26	Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.
27	And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.
28	And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
29	And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
30	For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?
31	And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock.
32	I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
33	So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
34	And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.
35	And he removed that day the he goats that were ring-streaked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
36	And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
37	And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chestnut tree; and pilled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
38	And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
39	And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.
40	And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ring-streaked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.
41	And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
42	But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.
43	And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

The New Testament reading is verses 1-23 in chapter 10 of Matthew's gospel.  Some of the interpretations of this get contentious, others less so.  Certainly the admonition to 'Go, and tell' is, in my view, still valid today.  Others disagree.

Matthew 10:1-23

1	And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2	Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3	Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4	Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
5	These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6	But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7	And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8	Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9	Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10	Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
11	And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12	And when ye come into an house, salute it.
13	And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14	And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15	Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16	Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17	But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18	And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19	But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20	For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21	And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22	And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23	But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.