The Better Reading Plan

Changed: Next Steps for a Changed Life

Soul Detox

Holy Emotions - Biblical Responses to Every Challenge

A Jolt of Joy

Daily Devotions with Greg Laurie

Believing God Is Good No Matter What

Thanksgiving: A Weapon of War

Christmas: The Greatest Gift

Fruits of the Spirit in Everyday Life

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
 <div class="book bkMRK">
 <div class="chapter ch5" data-usfm="MRK.5">
 <div class="label">5</div><div class="s1">Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man</div><div class="p"> 1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.#5:1 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.</div><div class="p"> 6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, &#8220;What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God&#8217;s name don&#8217;t torture me!&#8221; 8For Jesus had said to him, &#8220;Come out of this man, you impure spirit!&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 9Then Jesus asked him, &#8220;What is your name?&#8221;</div><div class="p">&#8220;My name is Legion,&#8221; he replied, &#8220;for we are many.&#8221; 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.</div><div class="p"> 11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, &#8220;Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.&#8221; 13He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.</div><div class="p"> 14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man&#8212;and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.</div><div class="p"> 18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, &#8220;Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.&#8221; 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis#5:20 That is, the Ten Cities how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.</div><div class="s1">Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman</div><div class="p"> 21When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23He pleaded earnestly with him, &#8220;My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.&#8221; 24So Jesus went with him.</div><div class="p">A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28because she thought, &#8220;If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.&#8221; 29Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.</div><div class="p"> 30At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, &#8220;Who touched my clothes?&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 31&#8220;You see the people crowding against you,&#8221; his disciples answered, &#8220;and yet you can ask, &#8216;Who touched me?&#8217; &#8221;</div><div class="p"> 32But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, &#8220;Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 35While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. &#8220;Your daughter is dead,&#8221; they said. &#8220;Why bother the teacher anymore?&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 36Overhearing#5:36 Or Ignoring what they said, Jesus told him, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid; just believe.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 37He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39He went in and said to them, &#8220;Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.&#8221; 40But they laughed at him.</div><div class="p">After he put them all out, he took the child&#8217;s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41He took her by the hand and said to her, &#8220;Talitha koum!&#8221; (which means &#8220;Little girl, I say to you, get up!&#8221;). 42Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.</div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
 <div class="book bkMRK">
 <div class="chapter ch6" data-usfm="MRK.6">
 <div class="label">6</div><div class="s1">A Prophet Without Honor</div><div class="p"> 1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.</div><div class="p">&#8220;Where did this man get these things?&#8221; they asked. &#8220;What&#8217;s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3Isn&#8217;t this the carpenter? Isn&#8217;t this Mary&#8217;s son and the brother of James, Joseph,#6:3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph Judas and Simon? Aren&#8217;t his sisters here with us?&#8221; And they took offense at him.</div><div class="p"> 4Jesus said to them, &#8220;A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.&#8221; 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6He was amazed at their lack of faith.</div><div class="s1">Jesus Sends Out the Twelve</div><div class="p">Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.</div><div class="p"> 8These were his instructions: &#8220;Take nothing for the journey except a staff&#8212;no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.</div><div class="s1">John the Baptist Beheaded</div><div class="p"> 14King Herod heard about this, for Jesus&#8217; name had become well known. Some were saying,#6:14 Some early manuscripts He was saying &#8220;John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 15Others said, &#8220;He is Elijah.&#8221;</div><div class="p">And still others claimed, &#8220;He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 16But when Herod heard this, he said, &#8220;John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 17For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip&#8217;s wife, whom he had married. 18For John had been saying to Herod, &#8220;It is not lawful for you to have your brother&#8217;s wife.&#8221; 19So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled#6:20 Some early manuscripts he did many things; yet he liked to listen to him.</div><div class="p"> 21Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22When the daughter of#6:22 Some early manuscripts When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.</div><div class="p">The king said to the girl, &#8220;Ask me for anything you want, and I&#8217;ll give it to you.&#8221; 23And he promised her with an oath, &#8220;Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 24She went out and said to her mother, &#8220;What shall I ask for?&#8221;</div><div class="p">&#8220;The head of John the Baptist,&#8221; she answered.</div><div class="p"> 25At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: &#8220;I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 26The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John&#8217;s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29On hearing of this, John&#8217;s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.</div><div class="s1">Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand</div><div class="p"> 30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, &#8220;Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.</div><div class="p"> 35By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. &#8220;This is a remote place,&#8221; they said, &#8220;and it&#8217;s already very late. 36Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 37But he answered, &#8220;You give them something to eat.&#8221;</div><div class="p">They said to him, &#8220;That would take more than half a year&#8217;s wages#6:37 Greek take two hundred denarii! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 38 &#8220;How many loaves do you have?&#8221; he asked. &#8220;Go and see.&#8221;</div><div class="p">When they found out, they said, &#8220;Five&#8212;and two fish.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 39Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42They all ate and were satisfied, 43and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.</div><div class="s1">Jesus Walks on the Water</div><div class="p"> 45Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.</div><div class="p"> 47Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50because they all saw him and were terrified.</div><div class="p">Immediately he spoke to them and said, &#8220;Take courage! It is I. Don&#8217;t be afraid.&#8221; 51Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.</div><div class="p"> 53When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went&#8212;into villages, towns or countryside&#8212;they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.</div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
 <div class="book bkPHP">
 <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="PHP.1">
 <div class="label">1</div><div class="p"> 1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,</div><div class="b"></div><div class="p">To all God&#8217;s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons#1:1 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Romans 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.:</div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"> 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.</div><div class="s1">Thanksgiving and Prayer</div><div class="p"> 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.</div><div class="p"> 7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God&#8217;s grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.</div><div class="p"> 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ&#8212;to the glory and praise of God.</div><div class="s1">Paul&#8217;s Chains Advance the Gospel</div><div class="p"> 12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,#1:12 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God&#8217;s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21. that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard#1:13 Or whole palace and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.</div><div class="p"> 15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.</div><div class="p">Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and God&#8217;s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.#1:19 Or vindication; or salvation 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.</div><div class="s1">Life Worthy of the Gospel</div><div class="p"> 27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,#1:27 Or in one spirit striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved&#8212;and that by God. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.</div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
 <div class="book bkPHP">
 <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="PHP.2">
 <div class="label">2</div><div class="s1">Imitating Christ&#8217;s Humility</div><div class="p"> 1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.</div><div class="p"> 5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:</div><div class="q1"> 6Who, being in very nature#2:6 Or in the form of God,</div><div class="q2">did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;</div><div class="q1"> 7rather, he made himself nothing</div><div class="q2">by taking the very nature#2:7 Or the form of a servant,</div><div class="q2">being made in human likeness.</div><div class="q1"> 8And being found in appearance as a man,</div><div class="q2">he humbled himself</div><div class="q2">by becoming obedient to death&#8212;</div><div class="q3">even death on a cross!</div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"> 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place</div><div class="q2">and gave him the name that is above every name,</div><div class="q1"> 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,</div><div class="q2">in heaven and on earth and under the earth,</div><div class="q1"> 11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,</div><div class="q2">to the glory of God the Father.</div><div class="s1">Do Everything Without Grumbling</div><div class="p"> 12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed&#8212;not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence&#8212;continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.</div><div class="p"> 14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, &#8220;children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.&#8221;#2:15 Deut. 32:5 Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.</div><div class="s1">Timothy and Epaphroditus</div><div class="p"> 19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.</div><div class="p"> 25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.</div>
 </div>
 </div>
</div>

60 To StartSample

Scripture

About this Plan

Related Plans