August 1, 2026

11The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, “Sentence this man to death! He has prophesied against this city! You heard it with your own ears.” 12Jeremiah said to the princes and all the people: “It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city everything you have heard. 13Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will have a change of heart regarding the evil he has spoken against you. 14As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what is good and right in your eyes. 15But you should certainly know that by putting me to death, you bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city and its inhabitants. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these words for you to hear.” 16Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve a death sentence; it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.” 24But the hand of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah, so they did not hand him over to the people to be put to death.

15Rescue me from the mire, and do not let me sink. Rescue me from those who hate me and from the watery depths. 16Do not let the flood waters overwhelm me, nor the deep swallow me, nor the pit close its mouth over me. 30V - But here I am miserable and in pain; let your saving help protect me, God, 31That I may praise God’s name in song and glorify it with thanksgiving. 33“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, take heart! 34For the LORD hears the poor, and does not spurn those in bondage.

10Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus 2and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.” 3The Death of John the Baptist. Now Herod had arrested John, bound [him], and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, 4for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. 6But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod 7so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, 10and he had John beheaded in the prison. 11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus. The Return of the Twelve and the Feeding of the Five Thousand.