Category Archives: Birds

Matthew Chapter A Day – 14

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Matthew Chapter 14 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.] [You can have it read in other languages also.]

Matthew 14:1-36 KJV

The Death of John the Baptist
(1)  At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
(2)  And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
(3)  For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
(4)  For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
(5)  And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
(6)  But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
(7)  Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
(8)  And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
(9)  And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
(10)  And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
(11)  And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
(12)  And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
(13)  When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
(14)  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
(15)  And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
(16)  But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
(17)  And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
(18)  He said, Bring them hither to me.
(19)  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
(20)  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
(21)  And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) by Wiki
Jesus Walks on the Water
(22)  And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
(23)  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
(24)  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
(25)  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
(26)  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
(27)  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
(28)  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
(29)  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
(30)  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
(31)  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
(32)  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
(33)  Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
(34)  And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
(35)  And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
(36)  And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
Feeding of 5000 ©Flickr pcstratman
Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) by Wiki

Matthew Chapter A Day – 13

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Carrion-hooded Crows-mixing-bird hybrids-photo

Matthew Chapter 13 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.] [You can have it read in other languages also.]

Matthew 13:1-58 NKJV

The Parable of the Sower
(1)  The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
(2)  And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
(3)  And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
(4)  And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
(5)  Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
(6)  And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
(7)  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
(8)  But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
(9)  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Purpose of the Parables
(10)  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
(11)  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
(12)  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
(13)  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
(14)  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
(15)  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
(16)  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
(17)  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
The Parable of the Sower Explained
(18)  Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
(19)  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
(20)  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
(21)  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
(22)  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
(23)  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
The Parable of the Weeds
(24)  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
(25)  But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
(26)  But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
(27)  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
(28)  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
(29)  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
(30)  Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
(31)  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
(32)  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
(33)  Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Prophecy and Parables
(34)  All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
(35)  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
(36)  Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
(37)  He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
(38)  The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
(39)  The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
(40)  As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
(41)  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
(42)  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
(43)  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
(44)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) by Robert Scanlon

Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) by Robert Scanlon

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
(45)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
(46)  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
(47)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
(48)  Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
(49)  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
(50)  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
New and Old Treasures
(51)  Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
(52)  Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
(53)  And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
(54)  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
(55)  Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
(56)  And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
(57)  And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
(58)  And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
Carrion-hooded Crows-mixing-bird hybrids-photo
Pearl Kite (Gampsonyx swainsonii) by Robert Scanlon

Matthew Chapter A Day – 12

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Matthew Chapter 12 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.]

Matthew 12:1-50 KJV

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
(1)  At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
(2)  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
(3)  But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
(4)  How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
(5)  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
(6)  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
(7)  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
(8)  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
A Man with a Withered Hand
(9)  And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
(10)  And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
(11)  And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
(12)  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
(13)  Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
(14)  Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
God’s Chosen Servant
(15)  But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
(16)  And charged them that they should not make him known:
(17)  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
(18)  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
(19)  He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
(20)  A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
(21)  And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
(22)  Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
(23)  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
(24)  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
(25)  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
(26)  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
(27)  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
(28)  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
(29)  Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
(30)  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
(31)  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
(32)  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.


A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
(33)  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
(34)  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
(35)  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
(36)  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
(37)  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
The Sign of Jonah
(38)  Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
(39)  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
(40)  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
(41)  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
(42)  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Return of an Unclean Spirit
(43)  When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
(44)  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
(45)  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
(46)  While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
(47)  Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
(48)  But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
(49)  And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
(50)  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
Christ and Disciples in Field ©Pinterest
Mockingbird eating winter berries ©.Jones Nature Preserve

Matthew Chapter A Day – 11

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Bee-eaters From Pinterest

Matthew Chapter 11 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.]

Matthew 11:1-30 KJV

Messengers from John the Baptist
(1)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
(2)  Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
(3)  And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
(4)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
(5)  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
(6)  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
(7)  And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
(8)  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
(9)  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
(10)  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
(11)  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
(12)  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
(13)  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
(14)  And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
(15)  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
(16)  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
(17)  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
(18)  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
(19)  The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Woe to Unrepentant Cities
(20)  Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
(21)  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
(22)  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
(23)  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
(24)  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Shorebirds at MacDill AFB shore 11-23-12
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
(25)  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
(26)  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
(27)  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
(28)  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
Bee-eaters From Pinterest
Matthew Sign at Parrot Mountain by Lee
Many believe the Critters rested most of the time while on board.

Matthew Chapter A Day – 10

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Matthew Chapter 10 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.]

Matthew 10:1-42 KJV

The Twelve Apostles
(1)  And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
(2)  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
(3)  Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
(4)  Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
(5)  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
(6)  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(7)  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(8)  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
(9)  Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
(10)  Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
(11)  And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
(12)  And when ye come into an house, salute it.
(13)  And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
(14)  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
(15)  Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Persecution Will Come
(16)  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
(17)  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
(18)  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
(19)  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
(20)  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
(21)  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
(22)  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
(23)  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
(24)  The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
(25)  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Have No Fear
(26)  Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
(27)  What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
(28)  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(29)  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
(30)  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
(31)  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
(32)  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
(33)  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Not Peace, but a Sword
(34)  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
(35)  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
(36)  And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
(37)  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
(38)  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
(39)  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Rewards
(40)  He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
(41)  He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
(42)  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) ©WikiC
Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) by Ian

Matthew Chapter A Day – 9

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Matthew Chapter 9 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.]

Matthew 9:1-38 KJV

Jesus Heals a Paralytic
(1)  And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
(2)  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
(3)  And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
(4)  And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
(5)  For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
(6)  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
(7)  And he arose, and departed to his house.
(8)  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
Jesus Calls Matthew
(9)  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
(10)  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
(11)  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
(12)  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
(13)  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
A Question About Fasting
(14)  Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
(15)  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
(16)  No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
(17)  Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
(18)  While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
(19)  And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
(20)  And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
(21)  For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
(22)  But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
(23)  And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
(24)  He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
(25)  But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
(26)  And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
(27)  And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
(28)  And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
(29)  Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
(30)  And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
(31)  But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak
(32)  As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
(33)  And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
(34)  But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
(35)  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
(36)  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
(37)  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
(38)  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
The Calling of Saint Matthew-Caravaggo (1599-1600) ©Public Domain
Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) In the barley harvest ©Vinehousefarm

Birds in Christmas Hymns 2018

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While the Book of Matthew is being presented on this blog, the Birds of the Bible For Kids Blog is hosting a review of the Birds in Christmas Hymns [Updating some]. Here are the two posted so far:

Christmas Hymns With Birds – Carol of the Birds

Christmas Hymns With Birds – This Endris Night

Also, if you have missed the Book of Matthew so far, here are the first six chapter’s links:

Gospel Message

 

Matthew Chapter A Day – 7

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Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Matthew Chapter 7 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.]

Matthew 7:1-29 KJV

Judging Others
(1)  Judge not, that ye be not judged.
(2)  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
(3)  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
(4)  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
(5)  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
(6)  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.


Ask, and It Will Be Given
(7)  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
(8)  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
(9)  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
(10)  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
(11)  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
The Golden Rule
(12)  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
(13)  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
(14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
A Tree and Its Fruit
(15)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
(16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
(17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
(18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
(19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
I Never Knew You
(21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


Build Your House on the Rock
(24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
(25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
(26)  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
(27)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
The Authority of Jesus
(28)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
(29)  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
The Sermon on the Mount ©WikiC William Brassey Hole
Black Skimmer feeding young ©Jim Gray-Audubon
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) by Michael Woodruff

Matthew Chapter A Day – 6

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Mockingbird Feeding Young ©Americanfacts

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Matthew Chapter 6 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.]

Matthew 6:1-34 KJV

Giving to the Needy
(1)  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
(2)  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(3)  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
(4)  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
The Lord’s Prayer
(5)  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(6)  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
(7)  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
(8)  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
(9)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11)  Give us this day our daily bread.
(12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(14)  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
(15)  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Fasting
(16)  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(17)  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
(18)  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) with Hoard or Grainary WikiC

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
(19)  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
(20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
(21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(22)  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
(23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
(24)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Do Not Be Anxious
(25)  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
(26)  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
(27)  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
(28)  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
(29)  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
(30)  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
(31)  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
(33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Good News

Scripture: e-Sword
Photos:
Mockingbird Feeding Young ©Americanfacts
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) with Hoard or Grainary WikiC

Hvitkinngås, a Coldwater Coast Colonist

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Hvitkinngås, a Coldwater Coast Colonist 

Dr. James J. S. Johnson

BarnacleGoose-flock-in-flight.BirdGuides

BARNACLE GOOSE flock in flight (credit: BirdGuides)

And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.  (Mark 13:18)

The above-quoted Scripture refers to the “flight” of human refugees, during a time of future world crisis.  However, for migratory birds, long-distance flights are not deemed a “crisis” because they are an ordinary twice-yearly lifestyle  —  winging from breeding grounds (as summer fades into autumn) to wherever it overwinters, usually with stopover breaks along the way, then vice versa (during spring).

For the  BARNACLE GOOSE (called Hvitkinngås in Norwegian, literally “white-cheek goose”), however, the breeding grounds are fairly frigid, with that anatid dwelling mostly in four populations:  (1) east Greenland breeders, who overwinter mostly along the western coasts of the British Isles, especially in the Hebrides (e.g., Islay) and western Ireland; (2) Svalbard’s breeders, who overwinter in and near the Irish Sea’s Solway Firth, that separates England and Scotland, not far from the Isle of man; (3) Russian breeders, some summering at or near Novaya Zemlya, or its neighboring Siberian coastland, who overwinter in the Netherlands or nearby Germany; and (4) an unusual not-so-migratory eastern colony, which appear to have abandoned the Russian population, and are now resettled (and mostly residing year-round!) in and near islands and coastlands of the Baltic Sea, including coastal Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (although some of these “transplants” may overwinter in and around Netherlands).

One of Norway’s most extreme territories is the arctic archipelago of Svalbard, the largest island of which is Spitsbergen.  Svalbard hosts one of the world’s three most-northern breeding populations of migrating Barnacle Goose (Norwegian: Hvitkinngås, meaning “white-cheek goose”) colonies.   Imagine the goslings hatched there each year!

BarnacleGoose-Svalbard.RolfStange

Barnacle Goose group (credit: http://www.-spitzbergen-svalbard.com / Rolf Stange)

According to the Norwegian Polar Institute:

“The barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) is a medium sized, black and white goose …  occu[ring] in three separate populations that breed [first] in northeast Greenland, [second] in Svalbard[,] and [third] in northwest Russia and the Baltic region … [with those] from Greenland winter[ing] in Ireland and in the western parts of Scotland, [while] the Svalbard birds spend the winter in the Solway Firth between England and Scotland” and the Russian population “winters along the western coasts of Germany and the Netherlands”.

[Quoting from “Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)”, http://www.npolar.no/en/species/barnacle-geese.html  .]

Also according to the Norwegian Polar Institute, the Svalbard-breeding population looks just like the other white-cheeked geese: “The Svalbard barnacle goose is indistinguishable morphologically from birds in the other populations, but is geographically isolated. In Svalbard, the barnacle goose breeds on the western coast of Spitsbergen and within Tusenøyane south of Edgeøya” – while “most barnacle geese breed in colonies on small islands, but some pairs also breed on cliffs on Spitsbergen.”

But as weather warms after winter, and daylight hours stretch (vs. night darkness), the northward migration repeats; breeding occurs in the arctic north:

“The spring migration starts in April or early May, when the geese leave Solway Firth and head for Helgeland on the western coast of mainland Norway. In the second half of May they move on to the southern part of Spitsbergen before reaching the nesting areas toward the end of May.  In late August or early September the autumn migration starts. Bjørnøya is an important stop-over site where the birds can spend up to three weeks waiting for favourable winds to initiate migration to the wintering grounds in northern Britain. Some birds probably migrate directly from Spitsbergen to the Solway Firth.”

[Quoting “Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)”,  http://www.npolar.no/en/species/barnacle-geese.html .]

As a previous blogpost indicates, this “new” eastern (Baltic coastlands) population may be the result of Novaya Zemlya breeders who wisely abandoned that Russian archipelago due to the USSR’s hydrogen bomb [“Ivan”, the Russian Царь-бомба, i.e., “Tsar Bomb”] testing there.

[See “What’s Good for the Goose … May be Relocating (to Another Summer Home)”, posted at https://leesbird.com/2017/07/10/whats-good-for-the-goose-may-be-relocating-to-another-summer-home/ . ]

BarnacleGoose-rangemap.WikipediaCommons

Barnacle Goose range map (Wikipedia Commons)

And now for a quick limerick poem about this white-cheeked goose’s migrations.

Hvitkinngås, Migrating Over Cold Oceans and Seas 

Barnacle Geese are God’s creation,

Mobilized marvels of migration;

Far, far north they’ll do their breeding,

Thereafter they’ll be southward speeding,

For winter months of warm vacation.

BarnacleGoose-pair.Helsinki-KaivopuistoPark

Barnacle Goose pair, in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, Finland (Juha Matti / Picssr)

 

Ian’s Bird of the Moment – Red-browed Pardalote

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McNamara’s Road, Gunpowder, NW Queensland

A long time, as usual these days, since the last Bird of the Moment, but I haven’t been entirely idle in the meantime. I’ve been busy both revising the ebook, Where to Find Birds in North-east Queensland, and compiling a second volume of birds of the week/moment covering 2010 until the present. More about those in a minute, but here is the Red-browed Pardalote, a species I wanted to photograph for Where to Find Birds in North-east Queensland and which I mentioned in the previous two Birds of the Moment, the Masked Finch and the Black-breasted Buzzard.

I finally tracked it down at McNamara’s Road between Mt Isa and Camooweal with the help of my Mt Isa birding pal Rex Whitehead and another Mt Isa birder Karen who took me to a couple of spots on this road where they had found the Pardalote shortly before. McNamara’s Road, about 68km from Mt Isa on the Barkly Highway going towards Camooweal is a famous site for the Carpentarian Grasswren though I have spent many hours there on a number of occasions, including this one, without finding any.

Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus) by Ian

We had more success with the Red-browed Pardalote helped by the fact that the dominant tree here the Snappy Gum doesn’t get very tall so when you hear the characteristic call of the bird, a mellow rising, accelerating piping of five or six notes, you know that they aren’t too far above the ground.

Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus) by Ian

It has, for a Pardalote, a large, rather chunky bill, second photo, and the white spots on the black cap distinguish it from the local race of the Striated Pardalote (uropygialis). It has distinctive mustard-coloured wing bars and in flight, third photo, shows a yellowish-green rump.

Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus) by Ian

Back to ebooks. The second edition of Where to Find Birds in North-east Queensland has gone through a number of iterations and refinements since I first put it up on the website in August of this year, and the latest version went up yesterday both in epub and pdf formats.

Where to Find Birds in NE Qld –

This is a free update to owners of the first edition but to access it you need a Dropbox link to the folder. If you bought it since January 2017, you should receive a separate email with a link to the folder. If you don’t receive this email, perhaps because your email address has changed, let me know: mailto:ian@birdway.com.au.

If you purchased it prior to January 2017, you would have done so through Apple, Google or Kobo and I won’t have your email address. So write to me and I’ll send you the link: mailto:ian@birdway.com.au.

Greetings, Ian

Lee’s Addition:

“So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:21 NKJV)

Ian’s Birds of the Moment always come as a surprise. When he was doing them weekly, they were part of the scheduled post here. So, now that he surprises us, and thankfully he does, we will just double them up with what else has posted that day.

Always glad to see what amazing beauties from our Creator he finds. This Red-browed Pardalote is a beauty, at least in my eyes. I love his cap. Reminds me of a pirates bandana. :)

Matthew Chapter A Day – 3

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DOVE (credit: Fanpop Wallpaper)

Beginning of Matthew, in case you missed the first post. Matthew Chapter A Day – 1

Matthew Chapter 3 – Audio [Once started, go back to post to follow verses as he reads.]

Matthew 3:1-17 KJV

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
(1)  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
(2)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(3)  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
(4)  And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
(5)  Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
(6)  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
(7)  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
(8)  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
(9)  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
(10)  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(11)  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
(12)  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.


The Baptism of Jesus
(13)  Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
(14)  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
(15)  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
(16)  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
(17)  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Good News