Professor Horner’s Reading Plan

Read through the Bible in one year by reading 10 chapters a day from 10 different sections of the Bible using the Professor Grant Horner Bible reading plan.

Today, we are reading Luke 1; Genesis 36; Hebrews 2; 1 Peter 1; Job 37; Psalms 73; Proverbs 6; Ezra 7; Nah 2; Acts 27.

Luke 1

1	Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2	Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3	It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4	That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
5	There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6	And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7	And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8	And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9	According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10	And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11	And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12	And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13	But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14	And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15	For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16	And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17	And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
18	And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years.
19	And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.
20	And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21	And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22	And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23	And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24	And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25	Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
26	And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27	To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28	And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29	And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30	And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
31	And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32	He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33	And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34	Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35	And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36	And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37	For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38	And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39	And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;
40	And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41	And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42	And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43	And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44	For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45	And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46	And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47	And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
48	For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49	For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50	And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51	He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52	He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53	He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54	He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55	As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.
56	And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
57	Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58	And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59	And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60	And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61	And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62	And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63	And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.
64	And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
65	And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66	And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67	And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68	Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69	And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70	As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71	That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72	To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73	The oath which he swore to our father Abraham,
74	That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75	In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76	And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77	To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78	Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79	To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80	And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

Genesis 36

1	Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.
2	Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
3	And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
4	And Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bore Reuel;
5	And Aholibamah bore Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
6	And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.
7	For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
8	Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.
9	And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:
10	These are the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.
11	And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.
12	And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
13	And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.
14	And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: and she bore to Esau Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.
15	These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
16	Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.
17	And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.
18	And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife.
19	These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes.
20	These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,
21	And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
22	And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna.
23	And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
24	And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.
25	And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.
26	And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Esh-ban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
27	The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.
28	The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran.
29	These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,
30	Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.
31	And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.
32	And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
33	And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
34	And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.
35	And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.
36	And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
37	And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.
38	And Saul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
39	And Baalhanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
40	And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,
41	Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
42	Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,
43	Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of the Edomites.

Hebrews 2

1	Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2	For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
3	How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4	God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5	For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
6	But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
7	Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8	Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9	But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10	For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11	For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12	saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13	And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14	Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15	And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16	For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17	Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18	For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

1 Peter 1

1	Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2	Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3	Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4	To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5	Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6	Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7	That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8	Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9	Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10	Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11	Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12	Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13	Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14	As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15	But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16	Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17	And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18	Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19	But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20	Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21	Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22	Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23	Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
24	For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25	But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Job 37

1	At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
2	Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3	He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4	After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
5	God thundereth marvelously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6	For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7	He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8	Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9	Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10	By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11	Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12	And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13	He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
14	Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15	Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16	Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
17	How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
18	Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
19	Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20	Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21	And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22	Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23	Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
24	Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

Psalms 73

1	A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2	But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3	For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4	For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5	They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6	Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7	Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8	They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9	They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10	Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11	And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12	Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13	Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14	For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15	If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16	When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17	Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18	Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19	How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20	As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21	Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22	So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23	Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24	Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25	Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26	My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
27	For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28	But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Proverbs 6

1	My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2	Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3	Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4	Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5	Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6	Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7	Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8	Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9	How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10	Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11	So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12	A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13	He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14	Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15	Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16	These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17	A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18	A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19	A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
20	My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21	Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22	When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23	For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24	To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25	Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26	For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27	Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28	Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29	So he that goeth in to his neighbor's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30	Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31	But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32	But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33	A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34	For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35	He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

Ezra 7

1	Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
2	The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
3	The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
4	The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
5	The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
6	This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
7	And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
8	And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9	For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
10	For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
11	Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
12	Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
13	I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
14	Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
15	And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
16	And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
17	That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
18	And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
19	The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
20	And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
21	And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
22	Unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred measures of wheat, and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23	Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
24	Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
25	And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
26	And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
27	Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
28	And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

Nahum 2

1	He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
2	For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.
3	The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
4	The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
5	He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defense shall be prepared.
6	The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.
7	And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, taboring upon their breasts.
8	But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
9	Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
10	She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.
11	Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid?
12	The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
13	Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

Acts 27

1	And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
2	And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3	And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4	And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5	And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6	And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
7	And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
8	And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
9	Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10	And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11	Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
12	And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the southwest and northwest.
13	And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14	But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
15	And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16	And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
17	Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven.
18	And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19	And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20	And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21	But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22	And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23	For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24	saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25	Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26	Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
27	But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
28	And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
29	Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
30	And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
31	Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
32	Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
33	And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
34	Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
35	And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
36	Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
37	And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
38	And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
39	And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
40	And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
41	And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
42	And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43	But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44	And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

King James Version (KJV)The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV). Public Domain.