Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

To the Director: A composition^[a] by David for stringed instruments.

A Prayer for God’s Protection

Azariah Becomes King of Judah

15 Amaziah’s son Azariah began reigning during the twenty-seventh year of the reign of^[a] Jeroboam, king of Israel. ² He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was^[b] from Jerusalem. ³ He did what the Lord considered to be right, just as his father Amaziah had done in everything, ⁴ except that the high places were never removed, and the people kept on sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

⁵ The Lord struck the king so that he was afflicted with leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house while his son Jotham managed the household and ruled^[c] the people who lived in the land. ⁶ Now the rest of Azariah’s activities, including everything he did, are recorded in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah, are they not? ⁷ Later, Azariah died, as had^[d] his ancestors, and they buried him with his ancestors in the City of David. His son Jotham then reigned in his place.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples^(A)

⁵ These were the Twelve whom Jesus sent out after he had given them these^[a] instructions: “Don’t turn on to the road that leads to the unbelievers,^[b] and don’t enter Samaritan towns. ⁶ Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation^[c] of Israel. ⁷ As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom from^[d] heaven is near!’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.

⁹ Don’t take any gold, silver, or copper in your moneybags, ¹⁰ or a traveling bag for the trip, or an extra shirt,^[e] or sandals, or a walking stick, because a worker deserves his food.

¹¹ “Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is receptive^[f] in it and stay there until you leave. ¹² As you enter the house, greet its occupants.^{[g] 13} If the household is receptive,^[h] let your blessing of peace come on it. But if it isn’t receptive,^[i] let your blessing of peace return to you. ¹⁴ If no one welcomes you or listens to your words, as you leave that house or town, shake its dust off your feet. ¹⁵ I tell all of you^[j] with certainty, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town!”