⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”^(A)

⁵ and in their mouth no lie was found; they are blameless.^(A)

Psalm 73

Plea for Relief from Oppressors

A Psalm of Asaph.

⁴ They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;^(A)

⁶ It is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all those descended from Israel are Israelites,^(A)

²⁸ For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision something external and physical.^{(A) 29} Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not the written code. Such a person receives praise not from humans but from God.^(B)

True Disciples

³¹ Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples,

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

2 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.^(A)