Bible Readings for October 5-11, 2026

Let’s read the Bible together next year. For the week of Monday, October 5 through Sunday, October 11, the daily readings are below.

• Monday, October 5, 2026 - Jer. 4:19–6:14, Col. 1:21–2:7, Psalm 77:1-20, Prov. 24:23-25
• Tuesday, October 6, 2026 - Jer. 6:15–8:7, Col. 2:8-23, Psalm 78:1-31, Prov. 24:26
• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - Jer. 8:8–9:26, Col. 3:1-17, Psalm 78:32-55, Prov. 24:27
• Thursday, October 8, 2026 - Jer. 10:1–11:23, Col. 3:18–4:18, Psalm 78:56-72, Prov. 24:28-29
• Friday, October 9, 2026 - Jer. 12:1–14:10, 1 Thess. 1:1–2:9, Psalm 79:1-13, Prov. 24:30-34
• Saturday, October 10, 2026 - Jer. 14:11–16:15, 1 Thess. 2:10– 3:13, Psalm 80:1-19, Prov. 25:1-5
• Sunday, October 11, 2026 - Jer. 16:16–18:23, 1 Thess. 4:1–5:3, Psalm 81:1-16, Prov. 25:6-7

Bible Readings for October 2, 2026

 

Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today, our passages are Isaiah 62:6–65:25; Philippians 2:19–3:4a; Psalm 73:1-28; and Proverbs 24:13-14. The readings are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson.

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Isaiah 66:1-24 (The Message)

Isaiah 66

Living Worship to God

 ^1-2 God's Message: "Heaven's my throne,
   earth is my footstool.
What sort of house could you build for me?
   What holiday spot reserve for me?
I made all this! I own all this!"
   God's Decree.
"But there is something I'm looking for:
   a person simple and plain,
   reverently responsive to what I say.  ^3-4"Your acts of worship
   are acts of sin:
Your sacrificial slaughter of the ox
   is no different from murdering the neighbor;
Your offerings for worship,
   no different from dumping pig's blood on the altar;
Your presentation of memorial gifts,
   no different from honoring a no-god idol.
You choose self-serving worship,
   you delight in self-centered worship—disgusting!
Well, I choose to expose your nonsense
   and let you realize your worst fears,
Because when I invited you, you ignored me;
   when I spoke to you, you brushed me off.
You did the very things I exposed as evil,
   you chose what I hate."
 ⁵But listen to what God has to say
   to you who reverently respond to his Word:
"Your own families hate you
   and turn you out because of me.
They taunt you, 'Let us see God's glory!
   If God's so great, why aren't you happy?'
But they're the ones
   who are going to end up shamed."
 ⁶Rumbles of thunder from the city!
   A voice out of the Temple!
God's voice,
   handing out judgment to his enemies:
 ^7-9"Before she went into labor,
   she had the baby.
Before the birth pangs hit,
   she delivered a son.
Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?
   Has anyone seen anything like this?
A country born in a day?
   A nation born in a flash?
But Zion was barely in labor
   when she had her babies!
Do I open the womb
   and not deliver the baby?
Do I, the One who delivers babies,
   shut the womb?
 ^10-11"Rejoice, Jerusalem,
   and all who love her, celebrate!
And all you who have shed tears over her,
   join in the happy singing.
You newborns can satisfy yourselves
   at her nurturing breasts.
Yes, delight yourselves and drink your fill
   at her ample bosom."

 ^12-13God's Message:
   "I'll pour robust well-being into her like a river,
   the glory of nations like a river in flood.
You'll nurse at her breasts,
   nestle in her bosom,
   and be bounced on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,
   so I'll comfort you.
   You will be comforted in Jerusalem."
 ^14-16You'll see all this and burst with joy
   —you'll feel ten feet tall—
As it becomes apparent that God is on your side
   and against his enemies.
For God arrives like wildfire
   and his chariots like a tornado,
A furious outburst of anger,
   a rebuke fierce and fiery.
For it's by fire that God brings judgment,
   a death sentence on the human race.
Many, oh so many,
   are under God's sentence of death:
 ¹⁷"All who enter the sacred groves for initiation in those unholy rituals that climaxed in that foul and obscene meal of pigs and mice will eat together and then die together." God's Decree.
 ^18-21"I know everything they've ever done or thought. I'm going to come and then gather everyone—all nations, all languages. They'll come and see my glory. I'll set up a station at the center. I'll send the survivors of judgment all over the world: Spain and Africa, Turkey and Greece, and the far-off islands that have never heard of me, who know nothing of what I've done nor who I am. I'll send them out as missionaries to preach my glory among the nations. They'll return with all your long-lost brothers and sisters from all over the world. They'll bring them back and offer them in living worship to God. They'll bring them on horses and wagons and carts, on mules and camels, straight to my holy mountain Jerusalem," says God. "They'll present them just as Israelites present their offerings in a ceremonial vessel in the Temple of God. I'll even take some of them and make them priests and Levites," says God.
 ^22-23"For just as the new heavens and new earth
   that I am making will stand firm before me"
         —God's Decree—
"So will your children
   and your reputation stand firm.
Month after month and week by week,
   everyone will come to worship me," God says.
 ²⁴"And then they'll go out and look at what happened
   to those who rebelled against me. Corpses!
Maggots endlessly eating away on them,
   an endless supply of fuel for fires.
Everyone who sees what's happened
   and smells the stench retches."

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Philippians 3:4-21 (The Message)

 ^2-6Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they're interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ's praise as we do it. We couldn't carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God's law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God's law Book.
 ^7-9The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.
 ^10-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. 

Focused on the Goal

 ^12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.  ^15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
 ^17-19Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
 ^20-21But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

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Psalm 74:1-23 (The Message)

Psalm 74

An Asaph Psalm

 ¹ You walked off and left us, and never looked back. God, how could you do that?
   We're your very own sheep;
      how can you stomp off in anger?

 ^2-3 Refresh your memory of us—you bought us a long time ago.
      Your most precious tribe—you paid a good price for us!
      Your very own Mount Zion—you actually lived here once!
   Come and visit the site of disaster,
      see how they've wrecked the sanctuary.

 ^4-8 While your people were at worship, your enemies barged in,
      brawling and scrawling graffiti.
   They set fire to the porch;
      axes swinging, they chopped up the woodwork,
   Beat down the doors with sledgehammers,
      then split them into kindling.
   They burned your holy place to the ground,
      violated the place of worship.
   They said to themselves, "We'll wipe them all out,"
      and burned down all the places of worship.

 ^9-17 There's not a sign or symbol of God in sight,
      nor anyone to speak in his name,
      no one who knows what's going on.
   How long, God, will barbarians blaspheme,
      enemies curse and get by with it?
   Why don't you do something? How long are you going
      to sit there with your hands folded in your lap?
   God is my King from the very start;
      he works salvation in the womb of the earth.
   With one blow you split the sea in two,
      you made mincemeat of the dragon Tannin.
   You lopped off the heads of Leviathan,
      then served them up in a stew for the animals.
   With your finger you opened up springs and creeks,
      and dried up the wild floodwaters.
   You own the day, you own the night;
      you put stars and sun in place.
   You laid out the four corners of earth,
      shaped the seasons of summer and winter.

 ^18-21 Mark and remember, God, all the enemy
      taunts, each idiot desecration.
   Don't throw your lambs to the wolves;
      after all we've been through, don't forget us.
   Remember your promises;
      the city is in darkness, the countryside violent.
   Don't leave the victims to rot in the street;
      make them a choir that sings your praises.

 ^22-23 On your feet, O God—
      stand up for yourself!
   Do you hear what they're saying about you,
      all the vile obscenities?
   Don't tune out their malicious filth,
      the brawling invective that never lets up.

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Proverbs 24:15-16 (The Message)

27

 ^15-16 Don't interfere with good people's lives;
   don't try to get the best of them.
No matter how many times you trip them up,
   God-loyal people don't stay down long;
Soon they're up on their feet,
   while the wicked end up flat on their faces.

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Thought for the Day

“Don't fall into the trap of being a coward – trust the LORD, and you will be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25 - Contemporary English Version) Being a coward is easy, and it takes no effort to remain silent in the face of injustice and abuse. Still, if we muster the courage to trust the Lord and to stand with him in difficult situations, what we gain in peace and hope may be well worth the cost.

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Quote for the Day

Welsh historian, author and travel writer, Jan Morris wrote, "Indians love to reduce the prosaic to the mystic."

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Joke for Today

On the Listening Tour, a prominent politician was pleased and proud that the local sandwich shop in a town he was visiting had named a sandwich after him.

He was somewhat less pleased after he found out what was in it.

"Mostly baloney," said the proprietor said.   

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A Prayer Request

As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.

That we are thankful for the opportunities and responsibilities we've been given.

Daily Lectionary Readings for October 01, 2026

Daily Lectionary Readings (Two-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Thursday, October 1, 2026

Morning Psalm 116 1   I love the LORD, because he has heard           my voice and my supplications. 2   Because he inclined his ear to me,           therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3   The snares of death encompassed me;           the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;           I suffered distress and anguish. 4   Then I called on the name of the LORD:           “O LORD, I pray, save my life!” 5   Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;           our God is merciful. 6   The LORD protects the simple;           when I was brought low, he saved me. 7   Return, O my soul, to your rest,           for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8   For you have delivered my soul from death,           my eyes from tears,           my feet from stumbling. 9   I walk before the LORD           in the land of the living. 10  I kept my faith, even when I said,           “I am greatly afflicted”; 11  I said in my consternation,           “Everyone is a liar.” 12  What shall I return to the LORD           for all his bounty to me? 13   I will lift up the cup of salvation           and call on the name of the LORD, 14  I will pay my vows to the LORD           in the presence of all his people. 15  Precious in the sight of the LORD           is the death of his faithful ones. 16  O LORD, I am your servant;           I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.           You have loosed my bonds. 17  I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice           and call on the name of the LORD. 18  I will pay my vows to the LORD           in the presence of all his people, 19  in the courts of the house of the LORD,           in your midst, O Jerusalem.      Praise the LORD! Morning Psalm 147:12-20 12  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!           Praise your God, O Zion! 13  For he strengthens the bars of your gates;           he blesses your children within you. 14  He grants peace within your borders;           he fills you with the finest of wheat. 15  He sends out his command to the earth;           his word runs swiftly. 16  He gives snow like wool;           he scatters frost like ashes. 17  He hurls down hail like crumbs —           who can stand before his cold? 18  He sends out his word, and melts them;           he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow. 19  He declares his word to Jacob,           his statutes and ordinances to Israel. 20  He has not dealt thus with any other nation;           they do not know his ordinances.      Praise the Lord! First Reading Hosea 4:1-10 1Hear the word of the LORD, O people of Israel; for the LORD has an indictment against the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or loyalty, and no knowledge of God in the land. 2Swearing, lying, and murder, and stealing and adultery break out; bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3Therefore the land mourns, and all who live in it languish; together with the wild animals and the birds of the air, even the fish of the sea are perishing. 4Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest. 5You shall stumble by day; the prophet also shall stumble with you by night, and I will destroy your mother. 6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. 7The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; they changed their glory into shame. 8They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. 9And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways, and repay them for their deeds. 10They shall eat, but not be satisfied; they shall play the whore, but not multiply; because they have forsaken the LORD to devote themselves to 11whoredom. Second Reading Acts 21:27-36 27When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd. They seized him, 28shouting, "Fellow Israelites, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place; more than that, he has actually brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." 29For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30Then all the city was aroused, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31While they were trying to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. When they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33Then the tribune came, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; he inquired who he was and what he had done. 34Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another; and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.35When Paul came to the steps, the violence of the mob was so great that he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36The crowd that followed kept shouting, "Away with him!" Gospel Reading Luke 6:1-11 1One sabbath while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. 2But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" 3Jesus answered, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?" 5Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath." 6On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. 7The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. 8Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come and stand here." He got up and stood there. 9Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?" 10After looking around at all of them, he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. 11But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. Evening Psalm 26 1   Vindicate me, O LORD,           for I have walked in my integrity,           and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2   Prove me, O LORD, and try me;           test my heart and mind. 3   For your steadfast love is before my eyes,           and I walk in faithfulness to you. 4   I do not sit with the worthless,           nor do I consort with hypocrites; 5   I hate the company of evildoers,           and will not sit with the wicked. 6   I wash my hands in innocence,           and go around your altar, O LORD, 7   singing aloud a song of thanksgiving,           and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8   O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell,           and the place where your glory abides. 9   Do not sweep me away with sinners,           nor my life with the bloodthirsty, 10  those in whose hands are evil devices,           and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11  But as for me, I walk in my integrity;           redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12  My foot stands on level ground;           in the great congregation I will bless the LORD. Evening Psalm 130 1   Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. 2       Lord, hear my voice!      Let your ears be attentive           to the voice of my supplications! 3   If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,           Lord, who could stand? 4   But there is forgiveness with you,           so that you may be revered. 5   I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,           and in his word I hope; 6   my soul waits for the Lord           more than those who watch for the morning,           more than those who watch for the morning. 7   O Israel, hope in the LORD!           For with the LORD there is steadfast love,           and with him is great power to redeem. 8   It is he who will redeem Israel           from all its iniquities.

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