Deuteronomy 25; Deuteronomy 26; Deuteronomy 27; Mark 14:27-53

Deuteronomy 25

1 This is what you must do whenever [two] people have a disagreement that is brought into court. The judges will hear the case and decide who's right and who's wrong.

2 If the person who's in the wrong deserves to be beaten, the judge will order him to lie down. Then the judge will have him beaten with as many lashes as the crime deserves.

3 Forty lashes may be given, but no more. If an Israelite were given more than that, he would be publicly humiliated.

4 Never muzzle an ox when it's threshing grain.

5 When brothers live together and one of them dies without having a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother must marry her and sleep with her. He must do his duty as her brother-in-law.

6 Then the first son she has will carry the dead brother's name so that his name won't die out in Israel.

7 But if the man doesn't want to marry his brother's widow, she must go to the leaders of the city at the city gate. She must say, "My brother-in-law refuses to let his brother's name continue in Israel. He doesn't want to do his duty as my brother-in-law."

8 Then the leaders of the city must summon him and talk to him. If he persists in saying that he doesn't want to marry her,

9 his brother's widow must go up to him in the presence of the leaders. She must take off one of his sandals and spit in his face. She must make this formal statement: "This is what happens to a man who refuses to continue his brother's family line."

10 Then in Israel his family will be called the Family of the Man Without a Sandal.

11 This is what you must do when two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from the man who is beating him. If she tries to stop the fight by grabbing the other man's genitals,

12 cut off her hand. Have no pity on her.

13 Never carry two sets of weights, a heavier one and a lighter one.

14 Never have two kinds of measures in your house, a larger one and a smaller one.

15 Use accurate and honest weights and measures. Then you will live for a long time in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

16 Everyone who uses dishonest weights and measures is disgusting to the LORD.

17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you on your trip from Egypt.

18 They attacked you when you were tired and exhausted and killed all those who were lagging behind. They weren't afraid of God.

19 So when the LORD your God gives you peace from all your enemies around you in the land that he is giving you as your own property, don't forget to erase every memory of the Amalekites from the earth.

Deuteronomy 26

1 Soon you will enter and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you as your property. When you have settled there,

2 take some of the first produce harvested from the fields in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket. Then go to the place where the LORD your God will choose for his name to live.

3 Go to the priest who is serving at that time, and tell him, "I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the land that the LORD is giving us, as he swore to our ancestors."

4 Then the priest will take the basket from you and set it down in front of the altar of the LORD your God.

5 You will make this formal statement in the presence of the LORD your God: "My ancestors were wandering Arameans. There were only a few of them when they went to Egypt and lived as foreigners. But then they became a great, powerful, and large nation.

6 So the Egyptians treated us cruelly, oppressed us, and made us do back-breaking work for them.

7 We cried out to the LORD God of our ancestors, and he heard us. He saw our misery, suffering, and oppression.

8 Then the LORD used his mighty hand and powerful arm to bring us out of Egypt. He used spectacular and awe-inspiring deeds, miraculous signs, and amazing things.

9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey.

10 So now I've brought the first produce harvested from the fields you gave me, LORD." You will place the basket in the presence of the LORD your God and bow down in front of him.

11 Then you, the Levites, and the foreigners who live among you can enjoy all the good things which the LORD your God has given you and your family.

12 Every third year is the year when you will store a tenth of that year's crops [in your houses]. During that year distribute what you have stored to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows in your cities, and they may eat all they want.

13 When you have distributed all that was stored, say to the LORD your God, "Nothing is left of the holy offering stored in my house. I distributed it to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows as you commanded me. I disobeyed none of your commands, and I didn't forget to do what you commanded.

14 I didn't eat any of this holy offering while I was in mourning. I didn't distribute any of it while I was unclean. I didn't offer any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God. I have done everything you commanded me.

15 Look down from your holy place in heaven. Bless your people Israel and the land flowing with milk and honey that you have given us, as you promised with an oath to our ancestors."

16 Today the LORD your God is commanding you to obey these laws and rules. You must faithfully obey them with all your heart and with all your soul.

17 Today you have declared that the LORD is your God and that you will follow his directions, obey his laws, commands, and rules, and listen to him.

18 Today the LORD has declared that you are his people, his own special possession, as he told you. But you must be sure to obey his commands.

19 Then he will place you high above all the other nations he has made. He will give you praise, fame, and honor, and you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.

Deuteronomy 27

1 Moses and the leaders of Israel told the people, "Obey every command I'm giving you today.

2 "The day you cross the Jordan River and enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up some large stones and cover them with plaster.

3 The LORD God of your ancestors is giving you a land flowing with milk and honey, as he promised you. After you're in that land, write all the words of these teachings on the stones.

4 After you cross the Jordan River, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, and cover them with plaster, following the command I'm giving you today.

5 Build an altar of stones there dedicated to the LORD your God. Don't use an iron chisel on the stones.

6 You must use uncut stones to build the altar of the LORD your God. Sacrifice burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God.

7 Sacrifice fellowship offerings, eat them there, and enjoy yourselves in the presence of the LORD your God.

8 Write clearly and carefully all the words of these teachings on the stones you set up."

9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, "Be quiet and listen, Israel. Today you have become the people of the LORD your God.

10 Obey the LORD your God and follow his commands and laws which I'm giving you today."

11 That same day Moses gave the people this command:

12 After you cross the Jordan River, these are the tribes that will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

13 These are the tribes that will stand on Mount Ebal to announce the curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14 The Levites will declare to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:

15 "Whoever has a carved or metal statue, anything disgusting to the LORD that was made by a craftsman, and sets it up in secret will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

16 "Whoever curses his father or mother will himself be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

17 "Whoever moves his neighbor's boundary marker will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

18 "Whoever leads blind people in the wrong direction will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

19 "Whoever deprives foreigners, orphans, or widows of justice will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

20 "Whoever has sexual intercourse with his father's wife will be cursed. He has disgraced his father." Then all the people will say amen.

21 "Whoever has sexual intercourse with any animal will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

22 "Whoever has sexual intercourse with his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

23 "Whoever has sexual intercourse with his mother-in-law will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

24 "Whoever kills another person secretly will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

25 "Whoever accepts money to kill an innocent person will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

26 "Whoever doesn't obey every word of these teachings will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen.

Mark 14:27-53

27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will abandon me. Scripture says, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

28 "But after I am brought back to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you."

29 Peter said to him, "Even if everyone else abandons you, I won't."

30 Jesus said to Peter, "I can guarantee this truth: Tonight, before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me."

31 But Peter said very strongly, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never say that I don't know you." All the other disciples said the same thing.

32 Then they came to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Stay here while I pray."

33 He took Peter, James, and John with him and began to feel distressed and anguished.

34 He said to them, "My anguish is so great that I feel as if I'm dying. Wait here, and stay awake."

35 After walking a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible he might not have to suffer what was ahead of him.

36 He said, "Abba! Father! You can do anything. Take this cup [of suffering] away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine."

37 He went back and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you stay awake for one hour?

38 Stay awake, and pray that you won't be tempted. You want to do what's right, but you're weak."

39 He went away again and prayed the same prayer as before.

40 He found them asleep because they couldn't keep their eyes open. They didn't even know what they should say to him.

41 He came back a third time and said to them, "You might as well sleep now. It's all over. The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners.

42 Get up! Let's go! The one who is betraying me is near."

43 Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, arrived. A crowd carrying swords and clubs was with him. They were from the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people.

44 Now, the traitor had given them a signal. He said, "The one I kiss is the man you want. Arrest him, and guard him closely as you take him away."

45 Then Judas quickly stepped up to Jesus and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.

46 Some men took hold of Jesus and arrested him.

47 One of those standing there pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest's servant.

48 Jesus asked them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a criminal?

49 I used to teach in the temple courtyard every day. But you didn't arrest me then. But what the Scriptures say must come true."

50 Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away.

51 A certain young man was following Jesus. He had nothing on but a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him,

52 but he left the linen sheet behind and ran away naked.

53 The men took Jesus to the chief priest. All the chief priests, leaders, and scribes had gathered together.