Isaiah 43:16-21

New International Version

¹⁶This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters,^(A)
¹⁷who drew out^(B) the chariots and horses,^(C)
    the army and reinforcements together,^(D)
and they lay^(E) there, never to rise again,
    extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:^(F)
¹⁸“Forget the former things;^(G)
    do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹See, I am doing a new thing!^(H)
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness^(I)
    and streams in the wasteland.^(J)
²⁰The wild animals^(K) honor me,
    the jackals^(L) and the owls,
because I provide water^(M) in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
²¹    the people I formed^(N) for myself^(O)
    that they may proclaim my praise.^(P)

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Philippians 4:6-13

New International Version

⁶Do not be anxious about anything,^(A) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^(B) ⁷And the peace of God,^(C) which transcends all understanding,^(D) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.^(E) And the God of peace^(F) will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^(G) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content^(H) whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,^(I) whether living in plenty or in want.^(J) ¹³I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(K)

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John 18:33-40

New International Version

³³Pilate then went back inside the palace,^(A) summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”^(B)

³⁴“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

³⁵“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

³⁶Jesus said, “My kingdom^(C) is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders.^(D) But now my kingdom is from another place.”^(E)

³⁷“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.^(F) Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”^(G)

³⁸“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.^(H) ³⁹But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”

⁴⁰They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.^(I)

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