Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁷ The Law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the simple.

⁸ The Statutes of the LORD are right and rejoice the heart. The Commandment of the LORD is pure and gives light to the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean and endures forever. The judgments of the LORD are truth. They are righteous altogether,

¹⁰ and more to be desired than gold—yea, than much fine gold—sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

¹¹ Moreover, by them your servant is made circumspect, and in the keeping of them there is great reward.

¹² Who can understand his faults? Cleanse me from secret faults.

¹³ Keep your servant from presumptuous sins, also. Do not let them reign over me. So, shall I be upright and made clean from much wickedness.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD my strength, and my redeemer. To him who excels. A Psalm of David.

¹³ Now, the next day, when Moses sat to judge the people, the people stood around Moses from morning to evening.

¹⁴ And when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this that you do for the people? Why do you sit by yourself, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?”

¹⁵ And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to seek God.

¹⁶ “When they have a matter, they come to me; and I judge between one and another and declare the ordinances of God and His laws.”

¹⁷ But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing which you do is not good.

¹⁸ “You greatly weary both yourself and these people who are with you. For the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it by yourself.

¹⁹ “Now, hear my voice. I will give you counsel; and God shall be with you. Represent the people before God, and report disputes to God,

²⁰ “and warn them of the ordinances, and of the laws. And show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

²¹ “Moreover, provide men of courage among all the people, men who fear God, dealing truly, hating covetousness. And appoint over them rulers over thousands, rulers over hundreds, rulers over fifties, and rulers over tens.

²² “And let them judge the people in all seasons. But, let them bring every great matter to you. And let them judge all small causes. So, it shall be easier for you when they shall bear the burden with you.

²³ “If you do this thing, and God so commands you, you shall be able to endure and all these people shall also go quietly to their place.”

²⁴ So, Moses obeyed the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

²⁵ And Moses chose men of courage out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers over thousands, rulers over hundreds, rulers over fifties, and rulers over tens.

²⁶ And they judged the people in all seasons; and they brought the hard causes to Moses. For they judged all small matters themselves.

²⁷ Afterward, Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went into his country.

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and understood that they were unlearned men and without knowledge, they marveled. And they recognized them, that they had been with Jesus.

¹⁴ And seeing also the man who was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.

¹⁵ Then they commanded them to go aside, out of the council, and conferred among themselves,

¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do to these men? For surely a known sign is done by them, which is apparent to all those who dwell in Jerusalem. And we cannot deny it.

¹⁷ “But so that it goes no further among the people, let us threaten and charge them, so that they speak no more in this Name to any man.”

¹⁸ So they called them, and commanded them, that they should never speak or teach in the Name of Jesus.

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, and said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God - to obey you rather than God - you be the judge.

²⁰ “For we can only speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

²¹ So they threatened them and let them go. And they found no way to punish them, because of the people. For they all praised God for what was done.

²² For the man upon whom this miracle of healing was shown was over forty years old.

²³ Then, as soon as they were let go, they came home, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

²⁴ And when they heard it, they lifted up their voices in unison to God, and said, “O Lord, You are the God Who has made the heaven, and the Earth, the sea, and all things that are in them;

²⁵ “Who, by the mouth of Your servant David, has said, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people imagine empty things?

²⁶ ‘The kings of the Earth assembled, and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against His Christ.’

²⁷ “For doubtless, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, gathered themselves together against Your Holy Son Jesus - Whom You have anointed -

²⁸ “to do whatever Your hand and Your counsel had determined beforehand to be done.

²⁹ “And now, O Lord, behold their threats. And grant to Your servants to speak Your Word with all boldness,

³⁰ “by stretching forth Your hand. So that healing and signs and wonders may be done by the Name of Your Holy Son, Jesus.”

³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. And they spoke the Word of God boldly.