⁴ while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush,^(A) sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life;^(B) I am no better than my ancestors.” ⁵ Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.^(C)

All at once an angel^(D) touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” ⁶ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

⁷ The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” ⁸ So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty^(E) days and forty nights until he reached Horeb,^(F) the mountain of God. ⁹ There he went into a cave^(G) and spent the night.

The Lord Appears to Elijah

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”^(H)

¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous^(I) for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant,^(J) torn down your altars,^(K) and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left,^(L) and now they are trying to kill me too.”

¹¹ The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain^(M) in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”^(N)

Then a great and powerful wind^(O) tore the mountains apart and shattered^(P) the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire,^(Q) but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.^{(R) 13} When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face^(S) and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Psalm 34^[a][b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane^(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(A) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(B) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[a]:^(C) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(D) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(E) doing something useful with their own hands,^(F) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(G)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(H) but only what is helpful for building others up^(I) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(J) with whom you were sealed^(K) for the day of redemption.^{(L) 31} Get rid of^(M) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(N) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(O) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(P) 5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(Q) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(R) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(S) and gave himself up for us^(T) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(U)