This is part of a year-long reading of the Bible chronologically in a harmonized format.

Job 20:1 - 21:34

- Zophar describes the short-lived triumph and inevitable judgment of the wicked, whose pleasure turns to poison and who face God's wrath.

- Job counters by observing that the wicked often live long, prosper, grow powerful with families, and die in peace, challenging his friends' view of immediate retribution.

John 1:26-27

- John the Baptist tells the priests and Levites that he baptizes with water.

- He declares that one greater stands among them unknowingly, whose sandal strap he is unworthy to untie.

Matthew 14:4-12

- John the Baptist rebukes Herod Antipas for unlawfully marrying Herodias, his brother's wife.

- At Herodias's prompting through her daughter's dance, Herod reluctantly orders John's beheading and presents the head on a platter.

Luke 3:19-20

- John rebukes Herod the tetrarch for marrying Herodias and for his many evils.

- Herod responds by imprisoning John, adding to his wrongdoing.

Matthew 3:13-17

- Jesus comes from Galilee to be baptized by John, who initially objects, feeling unworthy.

- Jesus insists to fulfill all righteousness; upon baptism, heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and God's voice declares, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

This is part of a year long reading of the Bible chronologically in a harmonized format.

Job 17:1–19:29

- Job expresses deep despair, feeling his spirit broken, mocked by others, and nearing death, while pleading for God to vindicate him against his friends' accusations.

- In response to his friends, Job laments his isolation and suffering but declares strong faith in his living Redeemer and future resurrection to see God.

Mark 1:2–8

- John the Baptist appears in the wilderness as the prophesied messenger, dressed in camel's hair, preaching a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

- John proclaims one mightier than himself coming, whose sandals he is unworthy to untie, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:3–18

- John preaches repentance and baptism near the Jordan, warning crowds of coming judgment and urging genuine fruit like sharing possessions, fairness, and honesty.

- He clarifies he is not the Messiah but announces the greater one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, separating wheat from chaff.

This is part of a year-long reading of the Bible chronologically in a harmonized format.

Job 15:1 - 16:22

- Eliphaz accuses Job of impiety and empty words, arguing that no one, not even the heavens, is pure in God's sight and that the wicked suffer torment.

- Job responds by calling his friends miserable comforters, describes God's attacks on him, and pleads for a mediator while expressing despair over his suffering.

Luke 3:1-2

- In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar's reign, amid listed Roman and Jewish leaders, the word of God comes to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

- This marks the beginning of John's prophetic ministry preparing for the Lord.

John 1:19-28

- Jewish leaders question John the Baptist about his identity; he denies being the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet.

- John declares himself the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord and points to one greater coming after him whose sandal he is unworthy to untie.

Matthew 3:2-12

- John preaches repentance because the kingdom of heaven is near, warning against relying on Abrahamic descent and urging fruit worthy of repentance.

- He describes the coming one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, separating wheat from chaff in judgment.