Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁶⁵ Lord, I am overflowing with your blessings, just as you promised. ⁶⁶ Now teach me good judgment as well as knowledge. For your laws are my guide. ⁶⁷ I used to wander off until you punished me; now I closely follow all you say. ⁶⁸ You are good and do only good; make me follow your lead.

⁶⁹ Proud men have made up lies about me, but the truth is that I obey your laws with all my heart. ⁷⁰ Their minds are dull and stupid, but I have sense enough to follow you.

^71-72 The punishment you gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold!

^2-3 “If anyone, whether man or woman, in any village throughout your land violates your covenant with God by worshiping other gods, the sun, moon, or stars—which I have strictly forbidden— ⁴ first check the rumor very carefully; if there is no doubt it is true, ⁵ then that man or woman shall be taken outside the city and shall be stoned to death. ⁶ However, never put a man to death on the testimony of only one witness; there must be at least two or three. ⁷ The witnesses shall throw the first stones, and then all the people shall join in. In this way you will purge all evil from among you.

⁸ “If a case arises that is too hard for you to decide—for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder when there is insufficient evidence, or whether someone’s rights have been violated—you shall take the case to the sanctuary of the Lord your God, ⁹ to the priests and Levites, and the chief judge on duty at the time will make the decision. ¹⁰ His decision is without appeal and is to be followed to the letter. ¹¹ The sentence he imposes is to be fully executed. ¹² If the defendant refuses to accept the decision of the priest or judge appointed by God for this purpose, the penalty is death. Such sinners must be purged from Israel. ¹³ Then everyone will hear about what happened to the man who refused God’s verdict, and they will be afraid to defy a court’s judgment.

13 Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. ² So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. ³ For the policeman does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil will always fear him. So if you don’t want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well. ⁴ The policeman is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose. ⁵ Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should.

⁶ Pay your taxes too, for these same two reasons. For government workers need to be paid so that they can keep on doing God’s work, serving you. ⁷ Pay everyone whatever he ought to have: pay your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due.