Hebrews 1:1-6

Common English Bible

The Son is God’s ultimate messenger

1 In the past, God spoke through the prophets to our ancestors in many times and many ways. ²In these final days, though, he spoke to us through a Son. God made his Son the heir of everything and created the world through him. ³The Son is the light of God’s glory and the imprint of God’s being. He maintains everything with his powerful message. After he carried out the cleansing of people from their sins, he sat down at the right side of the highest majesty. ⁴And the Son became so much greater than the other messengers, such as angels, that he received a more important title than theirs.

Speaking to the Son and angels

⁵After all, when did God ever say to any of the angels:

You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father?^[a]

Or, even,

I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son?^[b]

⁶But then, when he brought his firstborn into the world, he said,

All of God’s angels must worship him.^[c]

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Footnotes

Psalm 97

Common English Bible

Psalm 97

97 The Lord rules! Let the earth rejoice!
    Let all the islands celebrate!
²Clouds and thick darkness surround God.
    His throne is built on righteousness and justice.
³Fire proceeds before him,
    burning up his enemies on every side.
⁴His lightning lights up the world;
    the earth sees it and trembles!
⁵The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of the whole world!

⁶Heaven has proclaimed God’s righteousness,
    and all nations have seen his glory.
⁷All those who worship images,
    those who are proud of idols,
    are put to shame.
    All gods bow down to the Lord!
⁸Zion has heard and celebrates,
    the towns^[a] of Judah rejoice,
    because of your acts of justice, Lord,
⁹    because you, Lord, are the Most High
        over all the earth,
    because you are so superior to all other gods.

¹⁰Those of you who love the Lord, hate evil!
    God guards the lives of his faithful ones,
    delivering them from the power of the wicked.
¹¹Light is planted like seed for the righteous person;
    joy too for those whose heart is right.
¹²Rejoice in the Lord, righteous ones!
    Give thanks to his holy name!

Footnotes

Psalm 97:8 Or daughters

Mark 1:14-20

Common English Bible

Jesus’ message

¹⁴After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, ¹⁵saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”

Jesus calls disciples

¹⁶As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷“Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” ¹⁸Right away, they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹After going a little farther, he saw James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in their boat repairing the fishing nets. ²⁰At that very moment he called them. They followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers.

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