Book of Common Prayer

Psalm 93^[a]

Psalm 96^[a]

Psalm 34^[a]

By David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, causing the king to send him away.^[b]

Prophecy and Tongues

14 Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. ² For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.^{[a] 3} But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^[b] encouragement, and consolation. ⁴ The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up,^[c] but the one who prophesies builds up the church. ⁵ I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters,^[d] if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching? ⁷ It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood? ⁸ If, for example, the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will get ready for battle? ⁹ It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning. ¹¹ If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. ¹² It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit,^[e] seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

Workers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner^[a] who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² And after agreeing with the workers for the standard wage,^[b] he sent them into his vineyard. ³ When it was about nine o’clock in the morning,^[c] he went out again and saw others standing around in the marketplace^[d] without work. ⁴ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and I will give you whatever is right.’ ⁵ So they went. When^[e] he went out again about noon and three o’clock that afternoon,^[f] he did the same thing. ⁶ And about five o’clock that afternoon^[g] he went out and found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why are you standing here all day without work?’ ⁷ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go and work in the vineyard too.’ ⁸ When^[h] it was evening^[i] the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages^[j] starting with the last hired until the first.’ ⁹ When those hired about five o’clock came, each received a full day’s pay.^{[k] 10} And when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each one also received the standard wage. ¹¹ When^[l] they received it, they began to complain^[m] against the landowner, ¹² saying, ‘These last fellows worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us who bore the hardship and burning heat of the day.’ ¹³ And the landowner^[n] replied to one of them,^[o] ‘Friend, I am not treating you unfairly. Didn’t you agree with me to work for the standard wage?^{[p] 14} Take what is yours and go. I^[q] want to give to this last man^[r] the same as I gave to you. ¹⁵ Am I not^[s] permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’^{[t] 16} So the last will be first, and the first last.”