1 Samuel 1:21-2:11
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
21 The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.(A) 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and remain there forever; I will offer him as a nazirite for all time.”[a](B) 23 Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish your[b] word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.(C) 24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull,[c] an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, and the child was young.(D) 25 Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the child to Eli.(E) 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence praying to the Lord.(F) 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him.(G) 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” And they worshiped the Lord there.(H)
Hannah’s Prayer
2 Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my strength is exalted in my God.[d]
My mouth derides my enemies
because I rejoice in your victory.(I)
2 There is no Holy One like the Lord,
no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.(J)
3 Talk no more so very proudly;
let not arrogance come from your mouth,
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.(K)
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble gird on strength.(L)
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.(M)
6 The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.(N)
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low; he also exalts.(O)
8 He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.(P)
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked will perish in darkness,
for not by might does one prevail.(Q)
10 The Lord! His adversaries will be shattered;
the Most High[e] will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the power of his anointed.”(R)
Eli’s Wicked Sons
11 Then they left him there before the Lord and went[f] home to Ramah, while the boy remained to minister to the Lord in the presence of the priest Eli.(S)
Acts 1:15-26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, 16 “Brothers and sisters,[a] the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus,(A) 17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”(B) 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out.(C) 19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘Let his house become desolate,
and let there be no one to live in it’;
and
‘Let another take his position of overseer.’(D)
21 “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”(E) 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen(F) 25 to take the place[b] in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven apostles.
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Luke 20:19-26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
19 When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.(A)
The Question about Paying Tribute
20 So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said and then to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.(B) 22 Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”(C) 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said, and being amazed by his answer they became silent.
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