Reading for 28 March 2016

Matthew 27:1-31
1 And when it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took council against Yeshua, so that they might put him to death. 2 And they bound him, and took him and delivered him up to the governor Pilatos.

3 Then Yudah the betrayer, when he saw that Yeshua was convicted, repented. And he went and returned those thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders; 4 and said: “I have sinned, due to the fact that I have betrayed innocent blood.” And they said: “What is it to us? See to your own issues.” 5 And he threw the silver into the Temple, and leaving, he went and hanged himself. 6 And the chief priests picked up the silver, and said: “It is not lawful to put it in the treasury, because it is the price of blood.” 7 And they took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with it, to serve as a burial ground for strangers. 8 Therefore that field is called the Field of Blood to this day.

9 Then it was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet [[Zechariah]], saying: “I took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the precious one, which they of the B’nai Yisrael had agreed upon;

10 and I gave them for the field of the potter, as Mar-Yah directed me.”*

11 Now Yeshua stood before the governor. And the governor said to him: “Are you the king of the Judeans?” And Yeshua said to him: “You have said it.” 12 And when the chief priests and elders were accusing him, he would not return a reply. 13 Then Pilatos said to him: “Do you not hear how much they testify against you?” 14 But he did not answer him, not even a single word, and therefore the governor* was greatly amazed.

15 And at each festival the governor was accustomed to set one prisoner free to the people, whoever they desired. 16 And they had a well-known prisoner who had been imprisoned, called Bar Abba. 17 And when they were gathered together, Pilatos said to them: “Whom do you desire that I release to you, Bar Abba, or Yeshua who is called the Messiah?” 18 For Pilatos knew that it was because of hate that they had handed over Yeshua*. 19 And while the governor was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, and said: “Have nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered very much today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they ask for Bar Abba, and to destroy Yeshua. 21 And the governor answered, and said to them: “Whom do you desire to be freed to you?” And they said: “Bar Abba!” 22 Pilatos said to them: “And Yeshua, who is called the Messiah, what should I do to him?” They all said: “Let him be crucified.” 23 The governor said to them: “Indeed, what evil has he committed?” And they cried out all the more, and said: “Let him be crucified.” 24 And Pilatos, when he saw that nothing was helpful, but rather that uproar was produced, he took water, and washed his hands before the crowds, and said: “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; do as you will.” 25 And all the people answered, and said: “His blood be upon us, and upon our children!” 26 Then he released Bar Abba to them; and scourged Yeshua with whips and gave him over to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Yeshua into the Praetorium, and assembled the entire brigade against him. 28 And they stripped him, and clothed him with a purple robe*. 29 And they wove a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand, and they bowed down upon their knees before him, and they were mocking him, saying: “Hail, King of the Judeans.” 30 And they spit in his face, and took the reed, and struck him on his head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they removed the robe, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to be crucified.

James 3
1 Do not permit there to be too many teachers among you, my brethren; you should know that we are subjected to a severer judgment. 2 For all of us have offended in many things. Whoever does not offend in what he states is like a perfect man who is able to keep his whole body in subjection. 3 Behold, we put bridles into the mouth of horses so that they are subject to us and through the bridles we are able to control the whole body. 4 Also, ships that are large, when strong winds drive them, they are directed by a small piece of wood to whatever direction the pilot chooses with the rudder.

5 So likewise the tongue is a small member and it exalts itself. Also a small flame can overtake a large forest. 6 Now the tongue is like a fire and the world of sin is like a forest. And this tongue, which is only one among our members, stains the whole body; and it ignites fire within our whole body and continues to burn.

7 For you know that all natures of beasts and birds and reptiles of the sea or land are subject to the authority of man. 8 But no one has been able to gain subjection over the tongue when it become like an evil thing and full of venom. 9 With the tongue we bless Mar-Yah the Father; and with it we curse men who were made in the image of Alaha 10 and from the same mouth come both curses and blessings. My brethren, this type of conduct should not be found among you.

11 Can there flow from the same fountain both sweet and bitter waters? 12 My brethren, can the fig-tree bear olives? Or the vine, figs? So also the sea cannot be made sweet.

13 Who among you has been instructed in wisdom? Let him show his works in praiseworthy behaviour, wisdom and modesty. 14 But if there is bitter envy in you, or contention within your hearts, do not exalt yourselves against the truth, and do not lie. 15 For this is not the type of wisdom that comes from above; but is earthly, originating from all sorts of evil things. 16 For wherever envy is found, there also is a home for confusion, and all things become chaos. 17 But the wisdom from above is pure and full of peace, mild, and submissive, and is full of compassion and produces good fruit, and it does not have partiality, and does not discriminate against people. 18 And the fruits of righteousness are sown in stillness, by all of those who make peace.

Psalms 135-139
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