Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Confidence in God’s Protection.

For the choir director; on a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David.

Gehazi’s Greed

¹⁵ When he returned to the man of God ^[a]with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, ^(A)I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please ^(B)take a ^[b]present from your servant now.” ¹⁶ But he said, “^(C)As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, ^(D)I will take nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. ¹⁷ Naaman said, “If not, please let your servant at least be given two mules’ load of ^(E)earth; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering nor will he sacrifice to other gods, but to the Lord. ¹⁸ In this matter may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and ^(F)he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon your servant in this matter.” ¹⁹ He said to him, “^(G)Go in peace.” So he departed from him some distance.

²⁴ While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! ^[a]Your great ^(A)learning is ^[b]driving you mad.” ²⁵ But Paul *said, “I am not out of my mind, ^(B)most excellent Festus, but I utter words ^[c]of sober truth. ²⁶ For the king ^[d](C)knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a ^[e]corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you ^[f]do.” ²⁸ Agrippa replied to Paul, “^[g]In a short time you ^[h]will persuade me to ^[i]become a ^(D)Christian.” ²⁹ And Paul said, “^[j]I would wish to God, that whether ^[k]in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these ^(E)chains.”