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.

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

Job 12:1 - 14:22

- Job sarcastically rebukes his friends for their presumed wisdom, asserting that he is not inferior to them and that true wisdom belongs to God alone.

- Job describes God's sovereign power over creation, nations, and individuals, then pleads for relief while lamenting the brevity and hardship of human life.

Luke 2:39-52

- After fulfilling the law's requirements, Jesus' family returns to Nazareth, where he grows in strength, wisdom, and favor with God and people.

- At age twelve during Passover in Jerusalem, Jesus stays behind in the temple, discussing with teachers; when found, he explains he must be in his Father's house, then returns home obediently.

Matthew 3:1

- John the Baptist appears in the wilderness of Judea, preaching repentance because the kingdom of heaven is near.

Mark 1:1-4

- The gospel begins with the prophecy of a messenger preparing the way, fulfilled by John the Baptist.

- John preaches in the wilderness a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

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

Job 9:1-11:20

- Job acknowledges God's immense wisdom and power, noting that no one can contend with Him or be declared righteous before Him.

- Job describes God's control over creation and desires a mediator; Zophar rebukes Job, urging repentance for restoration.

Matthew 2:1-23

- Magi from the east visit Jesus in Bethlehem, bringing gifts, while Herod, fearing a rival king, plots against Him.

- An angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt; Herod orders the massacre of infants in Bethlehem; the family later returns to Nazareth.

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

Job 6:1 - 8:22

- Job responds to Eliphaz by expressing the overwhelming weight of his suffering, likening God's afflictions to arrows piercing him and wishing for death to end his pain.

- Job criticizes his friends for their unkind words and lack of compassion, then Eliphaz's second friend Bildad speaks, defending God's justice and urging Job to repent, suggesting his children sinned and that God will restore him if he seeks Him.

Luke 2:1-38

- Jesus is born in Bethlehem during the census ordered by Caesar Augustus, laid in a manger, and announced by angels to shepherds who visit and spread the news.

- On the eighth day, Jesus is circumcised and named; later, at the temple for purification, Simeon recognizes Him as the Messiah and prophesies, while the prophetess Anna gives thanks and speaks of Him to those awaiting redemption.

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

Job 4:1 - 5:27

- Eliphaz speaks to Job, noting how Job once encouraged others in trouble but now struggles with his own suffering, implying that the innocent do not perish while the wicked face consequences.

- Eliphaz urges Job to seek God, describing divine correction as beneficial and promising restoration, peace, and prosperity for the righteous who accept it.

Matthew 1:18-25

- Mary is found pregnant by the Holy Spirit before marrying Joseph, who plans a quiet divorce to avoid shaming her.

- An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife, name the child Jesus (meaning "he will save his people from their sins"), and fulfilling the prophecy of Immanuel ("God with us").

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

Job 1:1 - 3:26

- Job, a blameless and upright man who fears God, prospers greatly until Satan challenges his faith, leading God to permit testing.

- Satan afflicts Job by destroying his livestock, servants, and children, then striking him with painful boils, yet Job maintains his integrity and blesses God; overwhelmed by suffering, he curses the day of his birth and laments his existence.

Luke 1:57-80

- Elizabeth gives birth to a son; neighbors rejoice, and on the eighth day, despite family expectations, the child is named John as divinely instructed, restoring Zechariah's speech.

- Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah prophesies praise to God for raising a horn of salvation, fulfilling promises to Abraham and the prophets; he declares John will prepare the way for the Lord, bringing knowledge of salvation, forgiveness, and light to those in darkness.