Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;(A)
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.(B)
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;(C)
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.(D)
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;(E)
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.(F)
10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;(G)
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb.(H)
11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.(I)
12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.(J)
13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;(K)
do not let them rule over me.(L)
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.(M)
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,(N)
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.(O)
Introduction
1 These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness,(A) in the Arabah opposite Suph,[a] between Paran(B) and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth,(C) and Di-zahab. 2 It is an eleven-day journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea by way of Mount Seir. 3 In the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first of the month, Moses told the Israelites everything the Lord had commanded him to say to them. 4 This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei.(D) 5 Across the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this law, saying:
Departure from Horeb
6 “The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb: ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough. 7 Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites and their neighbors in the Arabah, the hill country, the Judean foothills,[b] the Negev and the sea coast—to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon as far as the Euphrates River.[c] 8 See, I have set the land before you. Enter and take possession of the land the Lord swore to give to your fathers(E) Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their future descendants.’(F)
Leaders for the Tribes
9 “I said to you at that time: I can’t bear the responsibility for you on my own. 10 The Lord your God has so multiplied you that today you are as numerous as the stars of the sky.(G) 11 May Yahweh, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times more, and bless you as He promised you. 12 But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes by myself? 13 Appoint for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will make them your leaders.
14 “You replied to me, ‘What you propose to do is good.’
15 “So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and set them over you as leaders: officials for thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes. 16 I commanded your judges at that time: Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge rightly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. 17 Do not show partiality when deciding a case;(H) listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God.(I) Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it. 18 At that time I commanded you about all the things you were to do.(J)
Herod’s Death
20 He had been very angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians.[a] Together they presented themselves before him. They won over Blastus, who was in charge of the king’s bedroom, and through him they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food from the king’s country.(A) 21 So on an appointed day, dressed in royal robes and seated on the throne, Herod delivered a public address to them. 22 The assembled people began to shout, “It’s the voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 At once an angel of the Lord(B) struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he became infected with worms and died.(C) 24 Then God’s message flourished and multiplied.(D) 25 After they had completed their relief mission, Barnabas and Saul returned to[b] Jerusalem, taking along John who is called Mark.(E)
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