Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 101

The Good Ruler

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By David. A psalm.

The Righteousness of the Lord

The Righteousness of the King

Righteousness in His Court

Assyrian Invasions

⁹ In Hezekiah’s fourth year, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria went up against Samaria and laid siege to it. ¹⁰ They captured it at the end of three years. In the sixth year, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was captured. ¹¹ Then the king of Assyria exiled Israel to Assyria. He settled them in Halah and on the Habur River, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. ¹² This was because they did not listen to the voice of the Lord their God, but they abandoned his covenant and all that Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded. They did not listen to it or obey it.

¹³ In King Hezekiah’s fourteenth year, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them. ¹⁴ Then Hezekiah king of Judah sent a message to the king of Assyria at Lachish: “I have done wrong. Withdraw from me. Whatever you impose on me I will pay.” Then the king of Assyria imposed on Hezekiah a penalty of three hundred talents^[a] of silver and thirty talents^[b] of gold. ¹⁵ So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the Lord’s house and in the treasuries of the king’s house. ¹⁶ At this time, Hezekiah stripped the gold off the doors of the temple of the Lord and off the doorposts, which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid with gold, and he gave it to the king of Assyria.

The Assyrian Commander Taunts Hezekiah

¹⁷ Then the king of Assyria sent the field commander, the chief of staff, and the herald^[c] from Lachish with a large army against King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They came up to Jerusalem and stood by the watercourse from the upper pool, which is on the way to the washerman’s field. ¹⁸ They summoned the king, so Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was the palace administrator, Shebna, who was the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, who was the recorder, went out to meet them.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

⁶ If you point out these things to the brothers,^[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good doctrine, which you have followed faithfully. ⁷ Pay no attention to worldly and absurd myths, but train yourself for godliness. ⁸ For bodily training is beneficial to an extent, but godliness is beneficial in all things, because it holds promise both for life now and for the life to come. ⁹ This saying is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ Indeed, it is for this reason that we work hard and are insulted:^[b] because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Insist on these things and continue teaching them. ¹² Let no one look down on your youth. Instead, be an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the reading^[c] of Scripture, to encouraging, and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things. Constantly be involved in them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to yourself and to the doctrine. Persevere in them, because by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.