Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 101

A Vow of Integrity

A psalm of David.

Review of Israel’s Fall

⁹ In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Israel’s King Hoshea son of Elah, Assyria’s King Shalmaneser marched against Samaria and besieged it.^{(A) 10} The Assyrians captured it at the end of three years. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Israel’s King Hoshea, Samaria was captured. ¹¹ The king of Assyria deported the Israelites to Assyria and put them in Halah, along the Habor (Gozan’s river), and in the cities of the Medes,^{(B) 12} because they did not listen to the Lord their God but violated his covenant—all he had commanded Moses the servant of the Lord. They did not listen, and they did not obey.^(C)

Sennacherib’s Invasion

¹³ In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Assyria’s King Sennacherib attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.^{(D) 14} So King Hezekiah of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lachish:^(E) “I have done wrong;^(F) withdraw from me. Whatever you demand from me, I will pay.” The king of Assyria demanded eleven tons^[a] of silver and one ton^[b] of gold from King Hezekiah of Judah. ¹⁵ So Hezekiah gave him all the silver found in the Lord’s temple and in the treasuries of the king’s palace.

¹⁶ At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the Lord’s sanctuary and from the doorposts he had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria.^(G)

¹⁷ Then the king of Assyria sent the field marshal,^(H) the chief of staff, and his royal spokesman, along with a massive army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem.^(I) They advanced and came to Jerusalem, and^[c] they took their position by the aqueduct of the upper pool, by the road to the Launderer’s Field.^{(J) 18} They called for the king, but Eliakim^(K) son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebnah^(L) the court secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the court historian, came out to them.^(M)

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith^(A) and the good teaching that you have followed.^{(B) 7} But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths.^(C) Rather, train yourself in godliness.^{(D) 8} For the training of the body has limited benefit,^(E) but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.^{(F) 9} This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.^{(G) 10} For this reason we labor and strive,^[a] because we have put our hope in the living God,^(H) who is the Savior^(I) of all people,^(J) especially of those who believe.

Instructions for Ministry

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech,^(K) in conduct,^(L) in love,^[b](M) in faith, and in purity.^{(N) 13} Until I come,^(O) give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴ Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy,^(P) with the laying on of hands^(Q) by the council of elders. ¹⁵ Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save^(R) both yourself and your hearers.^(S)