Study Desk

After the wise men left, an angel from the Lord came to Joseph in a dream. The angel said, "Get up! Take the child with his mother and escape to Egypt. Herod wants to kill the child and will soon start looking for him. Stay in Egypt until I tell you to come back."

So Joseph got ready and left for Egypt with the child and the mother. They left during the night.

"A sound was heard in Ramah— bitter crying and great sadness. Rachel cries for her children, and she cannot be comforted, because her children are gone."

John is the one Isaiah the prophet was talking about when he said, "There is someone shouting in the desert: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord. Make the road straight for him.'"

John's clothes were made from camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts and wild honey.

I know what you are thinking. You want to say, ‘but Abraham is our father!' That means nothing. I tell you, God could make children for Abraham from these rocks.

Jesus answered, "Let it be this way for now. We should do whatever God says is right." Then John agreed.

Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and nights. After this, he was very hungry.

The people who live in spiritual darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined for those who live in the land that is as dark as a grave."

Great blessings belong to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right. God's kingdom belongs to them.

Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.

"You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden.

People don't hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house.

In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

If your right hand makes you sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

But I tell you that any man who divorces his wife, except for the problem of sexual sin, is causing his wife to be guilty of adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman is guilty of adultery.

"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'

Give to anyone who asks you for something. Don't refuse to give to anyone who wants to borrow from you.

But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.

If you do this, you will be children who are truly like your Father in heaven. He lets the sun rise for all people, whether they are good or bad. He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong.