Psalm 140

New International Version

Psalm 140^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹Rescue me,^(A) Lord, from evildoers;
    protect me from the violent,^(B)
²who devise evil plans^(C) in their hearts
    and stir up war^(D) every day.
³They make their tongues as sharp as^(E) a serpent’s;
    the poison of vipers^(F) is on their lips.^[b]

⁴Keep me safe,^(G) Lord, from the hands of the wicked;^(H)
    protect me from the violent,
    who devise ways to trip my feet.
⁵The arrogant have hidden a snare^(I) for me;
    they have spread out the cords of their net^(J)
    and have set traps^(K) for me along my path.

⁶I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”^(L)
    Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.^(M)
⁷Sovereign Lord,^(N) my strong deliverer,
    you shield my head in the day of battle.
⁸Do not grant the wicked^(O) their desires, Lord;
    do not let their plans succeed.

⁹Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
    may the mischief of their lips engulf them.^(P)
¹⁰May burning coals fall on them;
    may they be thrown into the fire,^(Q)
    into miry pits, never to rise.
¹¹May slanderers not be established in the land;
    may disaster hunt down the violent.^(R)

¹²I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor^(S)
and upholds the cause^(T) of the needy.^(U)
¹³Surely the righteous will praise your name,^(V)
and the upright will live^(W) in your presence.^(X)

Footnotes

Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.

Jeremiah 3:15-18

New International Version

¹⁵Then I will give you shepherds^(A) after my own heart,^(B) who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. ¹⁶In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,” declares the Lord, “people will no longer say, ‘The ark^(C) of the covenant of the Lord.’ It will never enter their minds or be remembered;^(D) it will not be missed, nor will another one be made. ¹⁷At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne^(E) of the Lord, and all nations^(F) will gather in Jerusalem to honor^(G) the name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.^(H) ¹⁸In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel,^(I) and together^(J) they will come from a northern^(K) land to the land^(L) I gave your ancestors as an inheritance.

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Ephesians 5:6-20

New International Version

⁶Let no one deceive you^(A) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(B) comes on those who are disobedient.^(C) ⁷Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸For you were once^(D) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^(E) ⁹(for the fruit^(F) of the light consists in all goodness,^(G) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord.^(H) ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(I) but rather expose them. ¹²It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light^(J) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,^(K)
rise from the dead,^(L)
and Christ will shine on you.”^(M)

¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live^(N)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity,^(O) because the days are evil.^(P) ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^(Q) ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine,^(R) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^(S) ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(T) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks^(U) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.