Day 191 The Bible in a Year (Orthodox canon)

Psalm 51 (52)

1 For the end, [a Psalm] of instruction by David, 2 when Doec the Idumean came and told Saul, and said to him, David is gone to the house of Abimelech. 3 Why dost thou, O mighty man, boast of iniquity in [thy] mischief? All the day 4 thy tongue has devised unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor thou hast wrought deceit. 5 Thou hast loved wickedness more than goodness; unrighteousness better than to speak righteousness. Pause. 6 Thou hast loved all words of destruction, [and] a deceitful tongue. 7 Therefore may God destroy thee for ever, may he pluck thee up and utterly remove thee from [thy] dwelling, and thy root from the land of the living. Pause. 8 And the righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say, 9 Behold the man who made not God his help; but trusted in the abundance of his wealth, and strengthened himself in his vanity. 10 But I am as a fruitful olive in the house of God: I have trusted in the mercy of God for ever, even for evermore. 11 I will give thanks to thee for ever, for thou hast done [it]: and I will wait on thy name; for [it is] good before thy saints.

Psalm 52 (53)

1 For the end, [a Psalm] of David upon Maeleth, of instruction. 2 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They have corrupted [themselves], and become abominable in iniquities: there is none that does good. 3 God looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any that understood, or sought after God. 4 They have all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, there is not even one. 5 Will none of the workers of iniquity know, who devour my people as they would eat bread? they have not called upon God. There were they greatly afraid, where there was no fear: 6 for God has scattered the bones of the men-pleasers; they were ashamed, for God despised them. 7 Who will bring the salvation of Israel out of Sion? When the Lord turns the captivity of his people, Jacob shall exult, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 53 (54)

1 For the end, among the Hymns of instruction by David, 2 when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, Lo, is not David hid with us? 3 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy might. 4 O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. 5 For strangers have risen up against me, and mighty men have sought my life: they have not set God before them. Pause. 6 For lo! God assists me; and the Lord is the helper of my soul. 7 He shall return evil to mine enemies; utterly destroy them in thy truth. 8 I will willingly sacrifice to thee: I will give thanks to thy name, O Lord; for [it is] good. 9 For thou hast delivered me out of all affliction, and mine eye has seen [my desire] upon mine enemies.

3 John 1

1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth. 5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. 6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, 7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. 9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. 11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. 12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; 14 but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.