John 20:1-18; 2 Chronicles 31; Psalms 87

John 20:1-18

1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

2 So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put Him!"

3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb.

4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first.

5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in.

6 Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.

7 The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself.

8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed.

9 For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead.

10 Then the disciples went home again.

11 But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb.

12 She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus' body had been lying.

13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "Because they've taken away my Lord," she told them, "and I don't know where they've put Him."

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus.

15 "Woman," Jesus said to her, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, "Sir, if you've removed Him, tell me where you've put Him, and I will take Him away."

16 Jesus said, "Mary." Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" is also used in Mk 10:51 -which means "Teacher."

17 "Don't cling to Me," Jesus told her, "for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father-to My God and your God."

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them what He had said to her.

2 Chronicles 31

1 When all this was completed, all Israel who had attended went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, to the last one.Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own possession.

2 Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites for the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for praise in the gates of the camp of the Lord, each division corresponding to his service among the priests and Levites.

3 The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings of the Sabbaths, of the New Moons, and of the appointed feasts, as written in the law of the Lord.

4 He told the people who lived in Jerusalem to give a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote their energy to the law of the Lord.

5 When the word spread, the Israelites gave liberally of the best of the grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought an abundant tenth of everything.

6 As for the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah, they also [brought] a tenth of the cattle and sheep, and a tenth of the dedicated things that were consecrated to the Lord their God. They gathered [them] into large piles.

7 In the third month they began building up the piles, and they finished in the seventh month.

8 When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the piles, they praised the Lord and His people Israel.

9 Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the piles.

10 Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, "Since they began bringing the offering to the Lord's temple, we eat and are satisfied and there is plenty left over because the Lord has blessed His people; this abundance is what is left over."

11 Hezekiah told them to prepare chambers in the Lord's temple, and they prepared [them].

12 The offering, the tenth, and the dedicated things were brought faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second.

13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were deputies under the authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei by appointment of King Hezekiah and of Azariah the ruler of God's temple.

14 Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was over the freewill offerings to God to distribute the contribution to the Lord and the consecrated things.

15 Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah in the cities of the priests were to faithfully distribute [it] under his authority to their brothers by divisions, whether large or small.

16 In addition, [they distributed it] to males registered by genealogy three years old and above; to all who would enter the Lord's temple for their daily duty, for their service in their responsibilities according to their divisions.

17 [They distributed also] to those recorded by genealogy of the priests by their ancestral families and the Levites 20 years old and above, by their responsibilities in their divisions;

18 to those registered by genealogy-with all their infants, wives, sons, and daughters-of the whole assembly (for they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy);

19 and to the descendants of Aaron, the priests, in the common fields of their cities, in each and every city. [There were] men who were registered by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite recorded by genealogy.

20 Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God.

21 He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God's temple, in the law and in the commandment, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.

Psalms 87

1 His foundation is on the holy mountains.

2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3 Glorious things are said about you, city of God. Selah

4 "I will mention those who know Me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush- each one was born there."

5 And it will be said of Zion, "This one and that one were born in her." The Most High Himself will establish her.

6 When He registers the peoples, the Lord will record, "This one was born there." Selah

7 Singers and dancers alike [will say], "All my springs are in you."