Isaiah 9:1-4

New International Version

9 ^[a]Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom^(A) for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,^(B) but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

²The people walking in darkness^(C)
    have seen a great light;^(D)
on those living in the land of deep darkness^(E)
    a light has dawned.^(F)
³You have enlarged the nation^(G)
    and increased their joy;^(H)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.^(I)
⁴For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,^(J)
    you have shattered^(K)
the yoke^(L) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,^(M)
    the rod of their oppressor.^(N)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Isaiah 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1 is numbered 8:23, and 9:2-21 is numbered 9:1-20.

Psalm 27:1

New International Version

Psalm 27

Of David.

¹The Lord is my light^(A) and my salvation^(B)—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold^(C) of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?^(D)

Read full chapter

Psalm 27:1 in all English translations

Psalm 27:4-9

New International Version

⁴One thing^(A) I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,^(B)
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
⁵For in the day of trouble^(C)
    he will keep me safe^(D) in his dwelling;
he will hide me^(E) in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.^(F)

⁶Then my head will be exalted^(G)
above the enemies who surround me;^(H)
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice^(I) with shouts of joy;^(J)
I will sing^(K) and make music^(L) to the Lord.

⁷Hear my voice^(M) when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.^(N)
⁸My heart says of you, “Seek his face!^(O)”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹Do not hide your face^(P) from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;^(Q)
    you have been my helper.^(R)
Do not reject me or forsake^(S) me,
    God my Savior.^(T)

Read full chapter

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

New International Version

A Church Divided Over Leaders

¹⁰I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,^[a]^(A) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you,^(B) but that you be perfectly united^(C) in mind and thought. ¹¹My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household^(D) have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ¹²What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”;^(E) another, “I follow Apollos”;^(F) another, “I follow Cephas^[b]”;^(G) still another, “I follow Christ.”

¹³Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?^(H) ¹⁴I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus^(I) and Gaius,^(J) ¹⁵so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶(Yes, I also baptized the household^(K) of Stephanas;^(L) beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) ¹⁷For Christ did not send me to baptize,^(M) but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom^(N) and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

¹⁸For the message of the cross is foolishness^(O) to those who are perishing,^(P) but to us who are being saved^(Q) it is the power of God.^(R)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1 Corinthians 1:10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 11 and 26; and in 2:1; 3:1; 4:6; 6:8; 7:24, 29; 10:1; 11:33; 12:1; 14:6, 20, 26, 39; 15:1, 6, 50, 58; 16:15, 20.
1 Corinthians 1:12 That is, Peter