Setting Up the Lamps

8 The Lord said to Moses, ² “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.^(A)’”

³ Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. ⁴ This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold^(B)—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern^(C) the Lord had shown Moses.

The Genealogy of Saul the Benjamite^(A)

8 Benjamin^(B) was the father of Bela his firstborn,

⁶ therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will give you over to bloodshed^(A) and it will pursue you.^(B) Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you. ⁷ I will make Mount Seir a desolate waste^(C) and cut off from it all who come and go.^{(D) 8} I will fill your mountains with the slain; those killed by the sword will fall on your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines.^{(E) 9} I will make you desolate forever;^(F) your towns will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the Lord.^(G)

¹⁰ “‘Because you have said, “These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession^(H) of them,” even though I the Lord was there, ¹¹ therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger^(I) and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you.^{(J) 12} Then you will know that I the Lord have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, “They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour.^(K)” ¹³ You boasted^(L) against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it.^{(M) 14} This is what the Sovereign Lord says: While the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate.^{(N) 15} Because you rejoiced^(O) when the inheritance of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir,^(P) you and all of Edom.^(Q) Then they will know that I am the Lord.’”

Psalm 120

A song of ascents.

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness^(A) and looked down on everyone else,^(B) Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray,^(C) one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself^(D) and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast^(E) twice a week and give a tenth^(F) of all I get.’

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast^(G) and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’^(H)

¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”^(I)

The Little Children and Jesus^(J)

¹⁵ People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child^(K) will never enter it.”

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(A) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(B) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(C) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(D) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(E)—has any inheritance^(F) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](G) 6} Let no one deceive you^(H) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(I) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(J) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(K) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(L) 9} (for the fruit^(M) of the light consists in all goodness,^(N) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(O) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(P) but rather expose them.