Friday in Advent

68Verse 68. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. 69Verse 69. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70Verse 70. as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, 71Verse 71. salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72Verse 72. to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, 73Verse 73. the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74Verse 74. deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear, 75Verse 75. in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. 76Verse 76. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, 77Verse 77. to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78Verse 78. because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, 79Verse 79. to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

13Verse 13. “Your words against Me have been harsh,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ 14Verse 14. You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts? 15Verse 15. So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’” 16Verse 16. At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name. 17Verse 17. “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18Verse 18. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

18Verse 18. Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19Verse 19. because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance. 20Verse 20. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21Verse 21. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22Verse 22. But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. 23Verse 23. I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. 24Verse 24. But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Verse 25. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26Verse 26. so that through my coming to you again your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me.