Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
23 The paths of man are directed by the LORD; for He loves his way.
24 Though he falls, he shall not be cast off; for the LORD upholds his hand.
25 I have been young and am old. Yet I never saw the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful and lends, and His seed enjoys the blessing.
27 Flee from evil and do good, and dwell forever.
28 For the LORD loves judgment and does not forsake His saints. They shall be preserved forevermore. But the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous men shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous will speak of wisdom; and his tongue will talk of judgment.
31 The Law of his God is in his heart; his steps shall not slide.
32 The wicked watched the righteous and sought to kill him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in His hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD and keep His way; and He shall exalt you, so that you shall inherit the land. When the wicked men shall perish, you shall see.
35 I have seen the wicked strong and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away; and lo, he was gone. And I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the upright man and behold the just; for the end of that man is peace.
38 But their transgressors shall be destroyed together. The end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous men shall be from the LORD. He shall be their strength in the time of trouble.
40 For the LORD shall help them and deliver them. He shall deliver them from the wicked, and shall save them, because they trust in Him. A Psalm of David, for remembrance.
8 When Samuel had now become old, he made his sons judges over Israel,
2 judges in Beersheba. The name of his eldest son was Joel and the name of the second was Abijah.
3 And his sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after unjust gain, and took bribes, and perverted their judgment.
4 Therefore, all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel, to Ramah,
5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old. And your sons do not walk in your ways. Make us now a king to judge us, like all the nations.”
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD.
7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Hear the voice of the people in all that they shall say to you. For they have not cast you away, but have cast Me away, so that I would not reign over them.
8 “As they have always done, since I brought them out of Egypt up until this day (forsaking Me and serving other gods), even so they do to you.
9 “Now, therefore, listen to their voice. However, still testify to them and show them the behavior of the king who shall reign over them.”
10 So, Samuel told all the Words of the LORD to the people who asked for a king from Him.
11 And he said, “This shall be the behavior of the king who shall reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen. And some shall run before his chariot.
12 “Also, he will make them his captains over thousands, and captains over fifties, and to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make instruments of war, and the things that serve for his chariots.
13 “He will also take your daughters and make them apothecaries and cooks and bakers.
14 “And he will take your fields and your vineyards and your best olive trees and give them to his servants.
15 “And he will take a tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give it to his eunuchs and to his servants.
16 “And he will take your menservants and your maidservants and the chief of your young men and your donkeys and put them to work for him.
17 “He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you shall be his servants.
18 “And you shall cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves. And the LORD will not hear you on that day.”
6 Therefore, having left the beginning doctrines of Christ, let us be led forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith toward God,
2 the doctrine of baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And we will do this if God permits.
4 For it is impossible that those who were once lightened - and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 and have tasted of the good Word of God, and of the powers of the world to come -
6 if they should fall away, would be renewed again by repentance (seeing they crucify the Son of God to themselves again, and make a mockery of Him).
7 For the Earth, which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it and brings forth useful herbs for those who till it, receives blessing from God.
8 But that which bears thorns and briars is rejected and near to being cursed (whose end is to be burned).
9 But beloved, even though we speak in this way, we are still persuaded of better things concerning you and things which accompany salvation.
10 For God is not unrighteous, so that He should forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward his Name. In that you have ministered to the saints, and still minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end,
12 so that you are not slothful but followers of those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.
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