Daily Readings - 31/10/2026

^1:18 But does it matter? Whether from dishonest motives or in sincerity, Christ is proclaimed; and that makes me happy;

^1:19 and I shall continue being happy, because I know this will help to save me,[*a] thanks to your prayers and to the help which will be given to me by the Spirit of Jesus.

^1:20 My one hope and trust is that I shall never have to admit defeat, but that now as always I shall have the courage for Christ to be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death.

^1:21 Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would bring me something more;

^1:22 but then again, if living in this body means doing work which is having good results-I do not know what I should choose.

^1:23 I am caught in this dilemma: I want to be gone and be with Christ, which would be very much the better,

^1:24 but for me to stay alive in this body is a more urgent need for your sake.

^1:25 This weighs with me so much that I feel sure I shall survive and stay with you all, and help you to progress in the faith and even increase your joy in it;

^1:26 and so you will have another reason to give praise to Christ Jesus on my account when I am with you again.

^42:1 As a doe longs for running streams, so longs my soul for you, my God.

^42:2 My soul thirsts for God, the God of life; when shall I go to see the face of God?[*a]

^42:3 I have no food but tears, day and night; and all day long men say to me, ‘Where is your God?’

^42:4 I remember, and my soul melts within me: I am on my way to the wonderful Tent, to the house of God, among cries of joy and praise and an exultant throng.

^42:5 Why so downcast, my soul, why do you sigh within me? Put your hope in God: I shall praise him yet, my saviour,

^42:6 my God. When my soul is downcast within me, I think of you; from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, of you, humble mountain![*b]

^42:7 Deep is calling to deep as your cataracts roar; all your waves, your breakers, have rolled over me.

^42:8 In the daytime may Yahweh command his love to come, and by night may his song be on my lips, a prayer to the God of my life!

^42:9 Let me say to God my Rock, ‘Why do you forget me? Why must I walk so mournfully, oppressed by the enemy?’

^42:10 Nearly breaking my bones my oppressors insult me, as all day long they ask me, ‘Where is your God?’

^42:11 Why so downcast, my soul, why do you sigh within me? Put your hope in God: I shall praise him yet, my saviour, my God.

^14:1 Now on a sabbath day he had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely.

^14:7 He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this,

^14:8 ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited,

^14:9 and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man”. And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place.

^14:10 No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher”. In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured.

^14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

^24:1 To Yahweh belong earth and all it holds, the world and all who live in it;

^24:2 he himself founded it on the ocean, based it firmly on the nether sea

^24:3 Who has the right to climb the mountain of Yahweh, who the right to stand in his holy place?

^24:4 He whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure, whose soul does not pay homage to worthless things and who never swears to a lie.

^24:5 The blessing of Yahweh is his, and Vindication from God his saviour.

^24:6 Such are the people who seek him, who seek your presence, God of Jacob! (pause)

^24:7 Gates, raise your arches, rise, you ancient doors, let the king of glory in!

^24:8 Who is this king of glory? Yahweh the strong, the valiant, Yahweh valiant in battle!

^24:9 Gates, raise your arches, rise you ancient doors, let the king of glory in!

^24:10 Who is this king of glory? He is Yahweh Sabaoth, King of glory, he! (pause)

^3:1 Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us.

^3:2 My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.

^3:3 Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.

^5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples.

^5:2 Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

^5:3 ‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

^5:4 Happy the gentle:[*b] they shall have the earth for their heritage.

^5:5 Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

^5:6 Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied.

^5:7 Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.

^5:8 Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God.

^5:9 Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God.

^5:10 Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

^5:11 ‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account.

^5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you. Salt of the earth and light of the world