So You would know God,
Jesus gives You his presence.

Jesus was troubled
To give You peace and purpose.

Genesis 3:1–21

[1] Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” [2] And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, [3] but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” [4] But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. [5] For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” [6] So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. [7] Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

[8] And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” [10] And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” [11] He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” [12] The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” [13] Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

[14] The LORD God said to the serpent,

	“Because you have done this,
		cursed are you above all livestock
		and above all beasts of the field;
	on your belly you shall go,
		and dust you shall eat
		all the days of your life.
	[15] I will put enmity between you and the woman,
		and between your offspring and her offspring;
	he shall bruise your head,
		and you shall bruise his heel.”
	
	[16] To the woman he said,

	“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
		in pain you shall bring forth children.
	Your desire shall be for your husband,
		and he shall rule over you.”
	
	[17] And to Adam he said,

	“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
		and have eaten of the tree
	of which I commanded you,
		‘You shall not eat of it,’
	cursed is the ground because of you;
		in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
	[18] thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;
		and you shall eat the plants of the field.
	[19] By the sweat of your face
		you shall eat bread,
	till you return to the ground,
		for out of it you were taken;
	for you are dust,
		and to dust you shall return.”
	
	[20] The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. [21] And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. 

Psalm 32:1–7
A Maskil of David.

	[1] Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
		whose sin is covered.
	[2] Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
		and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
	
	[3] For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
		through my groaning all day long.
	[4] For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
		my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
	
	[5] I acknowledged my sin to you,
		and I did not cover my iniquity;
	I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
		and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
	
	[6] Therefore let everyone who is godly
		offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
	surely in the rush of great waters,
		they shall not reach him.
	[7] You are a hiding place for me;
		you preserve me from trouble;
		you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah 

Romans 5:12–19

[12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—[13] for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. [14] Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

[15] But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. [16] And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. [17] For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

[18] Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [19] For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 

Matthew 4:1–11

[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” [4] But he answered, “It is written,

	“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
		but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
	
	[5] Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple [6] and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

	“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
	
	and

	“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
		lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
	
	[7] Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” [8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” [10] Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

	“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
		and him only shall you serve.’”
	
	[11] Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 

Exodus 24:8–18

[8] And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

[9] Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, [10] and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. [11] And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.

[12] The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” [13] So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. [14] And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”

[15] Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. [16] The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. [17] Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. [18] Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Psalm 2:6–12

	[6] “As for me, I have set my King
		on Zion, my holy hill.”
	
	[7] I will tell of the decree:
	The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
		today I have begotten you.
	[8] Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
		and the ends of the earth your possession.
	[9] You shall break them with a rod of iron
		and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
	
	[10] Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
		be warned, O rulers of the earth.
	[11] Serve the LORD with fear,
		and rejoice with trembling.
	[12] Kiss the Son,
		lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
		for his wrath is quickly kindled.
	Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

2 Peter 1:16–21

[16] For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” [18] we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. [19] And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20] knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

Matthew 17:1–9

[1] And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. [2] And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. [3] And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. [4] And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” [5] He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” [6] When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. [7] But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” [8] And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

[9] And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 

Isaiah 58:3–9

	[3] ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
		Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’
	Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
		and oppress all your workers.
	[4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
		and to hit with a wicked fist.
	Fasting like yours this day
		will not make your voice to be heard on high.
	[5] Is such the fast that I choose,
		a day for a person to humble himself?
	Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
		and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
	Will you call this a fast,
		and a day acceptable to the LORD?
	
	
	[6] “Is not this the fast that I choose:
		to loose the bonds of wickedness,
		to undo the straps of the yoke,
	to let the oppressed go free,
		and to break every yoke?
	[7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
		and bring the homeless poor into your house;
	when you see the naked, to cover him,
		and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
	[8] Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
		and your healing shall spring up speedily;
	your righteousness shall go before you;
		the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
	[9] Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
		you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

Psalm 112:1–9

	[1] Praise the LORD!
	Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
		who greatly delights in his commandments!
	[2] His offspring will be mighty in the land;
		the generation of the upright will be blessed.
	[3] Wealth and riches are in his house,
		and his righteousness endures forever.
	[4] Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
		he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
	[5] It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
		who conducts his affairs with justice.
	[6] For the righteous will never be moved;
		he will be remembered forever.
	[7] He is not afraid of bad news;
		his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
	[8] His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
		until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
	[9] He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
		his righteousness endures forever;
		his horn is exalted in honor. 

1 Corinthians 2:1–12

[1] And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

[6] Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. [7] But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. [8] None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But, as it is written,

	“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
		nor the heart of man imagined,
	what God has prepared for those who love him”—
	
	
	[10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. [11] For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 

Matthew 5:13–20

[13] “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

[14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

[17] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [19] Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [20] For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 1:18–31

[18] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written,

	“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
		and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
	
	[20] Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? [21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. [22] For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, [23] but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, [24] but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

[26] For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, [29] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. [30] And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, [31] so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 

Matthew 5:1–12

[1] Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

[2] And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[4] “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

[5] “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

[6] “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

[7] “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

[8] “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

[9] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

[10] “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[11] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Isaiah 42:1–9

	Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
		my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
	I have put my Spirit upon him;
		he will bring forth justice to the nations.
	He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
		or make it heard in the street;
	a bruised reed he will not break,
		and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
		he will faithfully bring forth justice.
	He will not grow faint or be discouraged
		till he has established justice in the earth;
		and the coastlands wait for his law.
	
	Thus says God, the LORD,
		who created the heavens and stretched them out,
		who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
	who gives breath to the people on it
		and spirit to those who walk in it:
	“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
		I will take you by the hand and keep you;
	I will give you as a covenant for the people,
		a light for the nations,
		to open the eyes that are blind,
	to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
		from the prison those who sit in darkness.
	I am the LORD; that is my name;
		my glory I give to no other,
		nor my praise to carved idols.
	Behold, the former things have come to pass,
		and new things I now declare;
	before they spring forth
		I tell you of them.”

Psalm 29
A Psalm of David.

	Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
		ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
	Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
		worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
	
	The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
		the God of glory thunders,
		the LORD, over many waters.
	The voice of the LORD is powerful;
		the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
	
	The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
		the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
	He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
		and Sirion like a young wild ox.
	
	The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
	The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
		the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
	
	The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth
		and strips the forests bare,
		and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
	
	The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
		the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
	May the LORD give strength to his people!
		May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Romans 6:1–11

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

 Matthew 3:13–17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

Psalm 72:1–11
Of Solomon.

	Give the king your justice, O God,
		and your righteousness to the royal son!
	May he judge your people with righteousness,
		and your poor with justice!
	Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
		and the hills, in righteousness!
	May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
		give deliverance to the children of the needy,
		and crush the oppressor!
	
	May they fear you while the sun endures,
		and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
	May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
		like showers that water the earth!
	In his days may the righteous flourish,
		and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
	
	May he have dominion from sea to sea,
		and from the River to the ends of the earth!
	May desert tribes bow down before him,
		and his enemies lick the dust!
	May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
		render him tribute;
	may the kings of Sheba and Seba
		bring gifts!
	May all kings fall down before him,
		all nations serve him! 

Ephesians 3:1–12

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Matthew 2:1–12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

	“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
		are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
	for from you shall come a ruler
		who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
	
	Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.