Lift up your hearts

OT

 

7th Cycle.

  

NT

 

14th Cycle.

  

Thu 17Sep2026

Mon 14Sep2026

Jeremiah 1:1 - 14:22 (369 verses) WEB

Jeremiah 15:1 - 22:30 (169 verses) NET

Philippians 1:1 - 4:23 (104 verses) ESV

Colossians 1:1 - 4:18 (95 verses) ESV

Tue 15Sep2026

Jeremiah 23:1 - 36:32 (390 verses) WEB

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - 5:28 (89 verses) ESV

2 Thessalonians 1:1 - 3:18 (47 verses) ESV

1 Timothy 1:1 - 6:21 (113 verses) NET

2 Timothy 1:1 - 4:22 (83 verses) NET

Wed 16Sep2026

Jeremiah 37:1 - 52:34 (436 verses) WEB

Titus 1:1 - 3:15 (46 verses) ESV

Philemon 1:1 - 25 (25 verses) ESV

Hebrews 1:1 - 6:20 (101 verses) ESV

Thu 17Sep2026

Lamentations 1:1 - 5:22 (154 verses) WEB

Ezekiel 1:1 - 10:22 (191 verses) WEB

Hebrews 7:1 - 13:25 (202 verses) ESV

ESV — English Standard Version
NET — New English Translation
WEB — World English Bible

Overall Progress : 2026-09-17	OT	NT
Total No. of Verses	23,145	7,958
Finished reading	Lamentations	Hebrews
Finished No. of Verses	20,465	7,122
Completion	88.4 %	89.5 %

I have made good progress over the last four days of this week, finishing the OT books of Jeremiah and Lamentations, and reading up to chapter 10 of Ezekiel. In the NT, I have finished reading from the Epistle of Philippians right up to the end of Hebrews.

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Passage for Today

Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.
Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven, and say:
“We have sinned and rebelled
and you have not forgiven.

Lamentations 3:40 - 42

 

New International Version

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The Name of God is a Wonder

OT

 

7th Cycle.

  

NT

 

13th Cycle.

  

2025-08-17 Sun

2025.08.14 Thu

Judges 4:1 – 7:25 (120 verses) WEB

Titus 1:1 – 3:15 (46 verses) KJV

Philemon 1:1 – 1:25 (25 verses) KJV

Hebrews 1:1 – 3:19 (51 verses) WEB

2025.08.16 Sat

Judges 8:1 – 11:40 (150 verses) WEB

Hebrews 4:1 – 9:27 (119 verses) WEB

2025.08.17 Sun

Judges 12:1 – 21:25 (238 verses) BBE

Hebrews 10:1 – 13:25 (133 verses) WEB

BBE— Bible in Basic English
WEB — World English Bible
KJV — King James Version

Overall Progress
OT = 7,087 / 23,145 verses (30.6 %)
NT = 7,120 / 7,957 verses (89.5 %)

I have managed to gain some ground over the last four days of Bible Reading. In the Old Testament, I have finished the Book of Judges, while in the New Testament, I have read through Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews.

Tomorrow, I will proceed with the Book of Ruth in the OT and the Epistle General of James in the NT

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Passage for Today

17 Then Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, What is your name, so that when your words come true we may give you honour?
18 But the angel of the Lord said to him, Why are you questioning me about my name, seeing that it is a wonder?

Judges 13:17 – 18

 

Bible in Basic English

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My thoughts for today can be found in the links below —

• The Name of Wonder — it is Incomprehensible (2022-08-11)

Not with persuasive words but with power of God

OT

 

6th Cycle.

  

NT

 

12th Cycle.

  

2024-11-06 Wed

2024-10-26 Sat

Romans 12:1 - 16:27 (118 verses) NET

2024-10-27 Sun

1 Corinthians 1:1 - 6:20 (124 verses) NET

2024-10-28 Mon

1 Corinthians 7:1 - 16:24 (313 verses) WEB

2 Corinthians 1:1 - 13:13 (256 verses) RBV

2024-10-29 Tue

Galatians 1:1 - 6:18 (149 verses) RBV

2024-10-30 Wed

Ephesians 1:1 - 6:24 (155 verses) WEB

2024-10-31 Thu

Philippians 1:1 - 4:23 (104 verses) KJV

Colossians 1:1 - 4:18 (95 verses) KJV

2024-11-01 Fri

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - 5:28 (89 verses) NET

2 Thessalonians 1:1 - 3:18 (47 verses) NET

2024-11-02 Sat

1 Timothy 1:1 - 6:21 (113 verses) WEB

2 Timothy 1:1 - 4:22 (83 verses) WEB

2024-11-05 Tue

Titus 1:1 - 3:15 (46 verses) NET

Philemon 1:1 - 1:25 (25 verses) NET

Hebrews 1:1 - 13:25 (303 verses) WEB

2024-11-06 Wed

James 1:1 - 3:18 (71 verses) NET

James 4:1 - 5:20 (37 verses) WEB

NET — New English Translation
WEB — World English Bible
RBV — Revised Berkeley Version
KJV — King James Version

Overall Progress
OT = 22,558 / 23,145 verses (97.46 %)
NT = 7,229 / 7,957 verses (90.85 %)

Most of my readings over the past ten days were done during my recent visit to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shanghai in the Jiangnan district of China.

This is the first time I manage to continue with my daily Bible readings while travelling, mostly at night back at the hotel after a long day of sight-seeing, with some reading done on long bus journeys between distant cities, and on the five hour flights to and fro.

I have now read about 90% of the New Testament.

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Passages for Today

1 Corinthians 2:4,5

 

New English Translation

4 My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not be based on human wisdom but on the power of God.

1 Corinthians 6:11

 

New English Translatioin

Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

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My thoughts for today can be found in the links below —

• Paradoxes of Apostolic Living 2022-05-19
• Words of Life 2021-01-17
• We believe, therefore we speak 2020-07-06
• The New Way of the Spirit 2013-06-10

Trustworthy sayings

OT  5th Cycle.   NT  10th Cycle.

Wed 30Aug23
2 Thessalonians 1:1 – 3:18 (47 verses) NIV

Sun 03Sep23
1 Timothy 1:1 – 6:21 (113 verses) NIV
2 Timothy 1:1 – 4:22 (83 verses) NKJV

Mon 04Sep23
Titus 1:1 – 3:15 (46 verses) NET
Philemon 1:1 – 25 (25 verses) NET

Tue 05Sep23
Hebrews 1:1 – 13:25 (303 verses) WEB

Wed 06Sep23
James 1:1 – 5:20 (108 verses) WEB

Fri 08Sep23
1 Peter 1:1 – 5:14 (105 verses) ESV
2 Peter 1:1 – 3:18 (61 verses) ESV

Sat 09Sep23
1 John 1:1 – 5:21 (105 verses) ESV
2 John 1:1 – 13 (13 verses) ESV
3 John 1:1 – 15 (15 verses) ESV
Jude 1:1 – 25 (25 versrs)

Tue 12Sep23
Revelation 1:1 – 3:22 (71 verses) WEB

Fri 15Sep23
Revelation 4:1 –12:17 (140 verses) WEB

NIV — New International Version
NKJV — New King James Version
NET — New English Translation
WEB — World English Bible
ESV — English Standard Version

Over the past two weeks, I have read the Epistles of Paul — beginning with Second Thessalonians through the end of Hebrews.

This was followed by my reading of the Epistle General of James, the two Epistles of Peter and the three of John.

I began reading the book of Revelation three days ago and have completed chapter 12 today.

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Passage of the Day

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:15-17  New International Version

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
1 Timothy 3:1 - 3  New International Version

7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.
1 Tim othy 4:7 - 9  New International Version

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
2 Timothy 2:11 - 13  New International Version

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Titus 3:4 - 8  New International Version

(Conclusion)

A pleasant voice, plays well on an instrument

OT  4th Cycle.   NT  8th Cycle.

Thu 08Dec22
Ezekiel 14:1 – 24:27 (352 verses) WEB
2 Timothy 1:1 – 4:22 (83 verses) WEB
Titus 1:1 – 3:15 (46 verses) RBV
Philemon 1:1 – 1:25 (25 verses) RBV

Fri 09Dec22
Ezekiel 25:1 – 17 (17 verses) ASV

Sat 10Dec22
Ezekiel 26:1 – 28:26 (83 verses) ASV

Sun 11Dec22
Ezekiel 29:1 – 35:15 (174 verses) ASV

Mon 12Dec22
Ezekiel 36:1 – 48:35 (378 verses) ASV

WEB : World English Bible
RBV : Revised Berkeley Version
ASV : American Standard Bible

Over the past five days, I finished reading the last thirty-four chapters of the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament along with 2nd Timothy, Titus and Philemon in the New Testament.

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Passage of the Day

Behold, you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument;
for they hear your words, but they don't do them.
Ezekiel 33:32  World English Bible

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

OT  4th Cycle.    NT  7th Cycle.

Saturday 20Aug2022
1 Kings 5:1 - 10:29 WEB (230 verses)
1 Timothy 1:1 - 6:21 RSV (113 verses)
2 Timothy 1:1 - 4:22 RSV (83 verses)

Sunday 21Aug2022
1 Kings 11:1 - 14:31 ASV (141 verses)
Titus 1:1 - 3:15 KJV (46 verses)
Philemon 1:1 - 1:25 KJV (25 verses)
Hebrews 1:1 - 4:16 WNT (67 verses)

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I spent Sabbath Day yesterday reading another six chapters of First King in the Old Testament along with the entire Epistles of First and Second Timothy in the New Testament.

This afternoon, the First Day of a new Biblical week, I continued with reading First Kings chapters 11 to 14, the Epistles to Titus and Philemon, and the first four chapters of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Passage of the day

The first chapter of First Timothy contains a short Doxology giving honour and glory to our God as the Eternal King, the immortal God, the invisible God, and the Only Wise God.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17  King James Version

This verse is used in the opening line of the 19th Century Hymn entitled, "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise", lyrics below:

Hymn, written by Walter C Smith, 1867

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.

Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

A weekend of travelling

Monday 30May2022
Hebrews 3:1 - 7:28 WEB (97 verses)

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Sunday 29May2022
2 Timothy 1:1 - 4:22 WEB (83 verses)
Titus 1:1 - 3:15 WEB (46 verses)
Philemon 1:1 - 1:25 WEB (25 verses)
Hebrews 1:1 - 2:18 WEB (32 verses)

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Friday 27May2022
1 Timothy 1:1 - 6:21 WEB (113 verses)

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I was travelling over the weekend and tried to keep up with my New Testament readings using an electronic copy of the World English Bible (British Edition) stored on my mobile phone.

From last Friday until today I have covered 1st and 2nd Timothy,Titus, Philemon, and seven chapters of Hebrews, a total of 396 verses over four days. This works out to an average of 99 verses a day, which exceeds my ongoing target of 88 verses a day.

An everlasting Priest of the Order of Melchizedek

Sunday 06Mar2022
1 Chronicles 25:1 - 29:30 RSV (148 verses)
Titus 1:1 - 3:15 NWB (46 verses)
Philemon 1:1 - 25 NWB (25 verses)
Hebrews 1:1 - 2:18 RSV (32 veeses)

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Monday 07Mar2022
2 Chronicles 1:1 - 6:42 WEB (130 verses)
Hebrews 3:1 - 7:28 JND (97 verses)

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Over the last two days, I finished reading the last five chapters of 1st Chronicles along with Paul's epistles to Titus and Philemon. I have also gone on to read the first six chapters of 2nd Chronicles and seven chapters of the Epistle general to the Hebrews.

Altogether, I have read 278 verses from the Old Testament and another 200 verses from the New Testament.

From my reading of Hebrews chapter 6 today, I came across a verse mentioning the priestly Order of Melchizedek, below:

Hebrews 6:19 - 20  KJV  King James Version

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The mention of Melchizedek in verse 20 above is a reference to the promise in Psalm 110:4, made with an oath by the LORD, that the Anointed One will be a priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek

Psalm 110:4  KJV

The LORD hath sworn,
and will not repent,
Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Between the years 2020 to 2014, I wrote seven blogposts about my observations on what the Bible says concerning this everlasting Priest. A list of links to these seven posts can be found via the link below:

• A Priest Forever after the Order of Melchizedek (Oct2021)

A High Priest tempted as we are, yet without sin

Monday 2021.12.20

Today's Passages:
Genesis 25:1 - 34 ASV (34 verses)
Titus 3:1 - 15 GNB (15 verses)
Philemon 1:1 - 25 WEB(25 verses)
Hebrews 1:1 - 6:20 (101 verses)

Today I continue my sprint by pushing on with Titus, Philemon and the first six chapters of Hebrews, a total of a hundred and forty-one verses. I intend to read about 150+ verses a day for the remaining eleven days of December so that I can finish my Fourth Cycle of New Testament reading by the end of the year.

From today's readings, Hebrews chapter 4 reminds us that our Lord Iesou the Son of God is our High Priest who was tempted "in all points" (WEB) as we are, yet without sin.

As such, we are urged in the next verse, we can draw near to God, to His throne of grace, for help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14 - 16  WEB  World English Bible
14 Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us draw near to the throne of God, at Whose right hand our Lord Iesou, our High Priest, is seated. Let us find help in time of our need.

Judah and Israel will be restored

Thursday 2021.09:02

This afternoon for my OT reading, I read Jeremiah chapters twenty-nine through thirty-one.

This portion of scripture contains a prophecy by Jeremiah ben Hilkiah about the restoration of the people of Israel and Judah from their exile back to the promised land. When this prophecy was given, King Jehoiachin ben Jehoiakim, the 19th king of Judah, along with the leaders and the skilled craftsmen of Judah, were already taken into exile by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia. Most of the treasures of the Temple of Jerusalem were also taken away, leaving behind some columns, a bronze tank, and some carts (Jeremiah 27:19,20; 2 Kings 23:10 - 16).

Also, during the reign of King Zedekiah ben Josiah, the 20th and last king of Judah, Jeremiah had written a letter of hope and encouragement to the people of Judah who were in exile in Babylonia , promising them that the LORD would restore them to their homeland (Jeremiah 29:1 - 23)

In Jeremiah chapter 30, we read of his prophecy about the promise of the LORD to restore Israel and Judah to their homeland under the rule of the Messiah, a descendant of David whom the LORD will enthrone as King.

Jeremiah 30:1 - 3 GNB
1The LORD, the God of Israel, 2said to me: “Write down in a book everything that I have told you, 3because the time is coming when I will restore my people, Israel and Judah. I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will take possession of it again. I, the LORD, have spoken.”

Jeremiah 30:8 - 9 GNB
8The LORD Almighty says: “When that day comes, I will break the yoke that is round their necks and remove their chains, and they will no longer be the slaves of foreigners. 9Instead, they will serve me, the LORD their God, and a descendant of David, whom I will enthrone as king.

Jeremiah 30:21b GNB
They will be my people, and I will be their God. I, the LORD, have spoken.

For my NT reading today, I read the short Epistle to Philemon. Tomorrow, I will begin reading the long Epistle general to the Hebrews using the New International Version.

Today's Passages:
Jeremiah 29:1 - 31:40 GNB
Philemon 1:1 - 25 KJV -- Hebrews NIV

Tuesday 27Apr21

Tuesday 2021.04.27

Isaiah 54:1 - 17 JND
Psalm 101(102):1 - 103(104):35 LXX
Titus 2:1 - 3:15 WNT
Philemon 1:1 - 25 WNT
Sirach 34:1 - 26 LXX

JND = J.N.Darby's Translation
ASV = American Standard Version
LXX = Septuagint Brenton
WNT = Weymouth New Testament
KJV = King James Version

Saturday 13June2020

Genesis 31:1 - 32:32 LXX
Judith 1:1 - 2:28 KJVA
Hebrews 12:1 - 29 YLT
Hebrews 12:1 - 13:25 WEB
Philemon 1:1 - 25 ASV
Titus 1:1 - 3:15 BBE
Titus 2:1 - 3:15 WNT

YLT = Young's Literal Translation
LXX = Septuagint (Brenton)
KJVA = King James Version Apocrypha
WEB = World English Bible
ASV = American Standard Version
BBE = Bible in Basic English
WNT = Weymouth's New Testament