Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹²¹ Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is right; I’ve been perfectly fair. ¹²² Commit yourself to bless me! Don’t let the proud oppress me! ¹²³ My eyes grow dim with longing for you to fulfill your wonderful promise to rescue me. ¹²⁴ Lord, deal with me in loving-kindness, and teach me, your servant, to obey; ¹²⁵ for I am your servant; therefore give me common sense to apply your rules to everything I do.

¹²⁶ Lord, it is time for you to act. For these evil men have violated your laws, ¹²⁷ while I love your commandments more than the finest gold. ¹²⁸ Every law of God is right, whatever it concerns. I hate every other way.

²⁹ God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and a mind with broad interests. ³⁰ In fact, his wisdom excelled that of any of the wise men of the East, including those in Egypt. ³¹ He was wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and he was famous among all the surrounding nations. ³² He was the author of 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. ³³ He was a great naturalist, with interest in animals, birds, snakes, fish, and trees—from the great cedars of Lebanon down to the tiny hyssop which grows in cracks in the wall. ³⁴ And kings from many lands sent their ambassadors to him for his advice.

¹⁰ Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. ¹² For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

¹³ So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.

¹⁴ But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. ¹⁵ Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. ¹⁶ In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. ¹⁷ And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.

¹⁸ Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.