Malachi 1:14-2:2,1:8-10
Psalms 131:1-3
1 Thessalonians 2:7-9,13
Matthew 23:1-12
Malachi 1:14-2:2,1:8-10
(14) “But the deceiver is cursed, who has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the Lord a defective thing; for I am a great King,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and my name is awesome among the nations.” (1) “Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. (2) If you will not listen, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to my name,” says Yahweh of Armies, “then will I send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart. (8) When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn’t that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn’t that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?” says Yahweh of Armies. (9) “Now, please entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?” says Yahweh of Armies. (10) “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,” says Yahweh of Armies, “neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
Psalms 131:1-3
(1) Yahweh, my heart isn’t haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. (2) Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. (3) Israel, hope in Yahweh, from this time forward and forever more.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-9,13
(7) But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. (8) Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us. (9) For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God. (13) For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.
Matthew 23:1-12
(1) Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, (2) saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. (3) All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. (4) For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. (5) But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, (6) and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, (7) the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. (8) But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. (9) Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. (10) Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. (11) But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. (12) Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
