Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

A Prayer for Protection

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

Azariah King of Judah

15 Azariah^[a] son of Amaziah became king of Judah. This was during Jeroboam’s twenty-seventh year as king of Israel. ² Azariah was 16 years old when he became king. He ruled 52 years in Jerusalem. His mother was named Jecoliah, and she was from Jerusalem. ³ He did what the Lord said was right. He obeyed God just as his father Amaziah had done. ⁴ But the places where false gods were worshiped were not removed. So the people still made sacrifices and burned incense there.

⁵ The Lord struck Azariah with a harmful skin disease. He had this disease until the day he died. He lived in a separate house. Jotham, the king’s son, was in charge of the palace. He governed the people of the land.

⁶ All the other things Azariah did are written down. They are in the book of the history of the kings of Judah. ⁷ Azariah died and was buried near his ancestors in Jerusalem. And his son Jotham became king in his place.

⁵ These 12 men he sent out with the following order: “Don’t go to the non-Jewish people. And don’t go into any town where the Samaritans live. ⁶ But go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that are lost. ⁷ When you go, preach this: ‘The kingdom of heaven is coming soon.’ ⁸ Heal the sick. Give dead people life again. Heal those who have harmful skin diseases. Force demons to leave people. I give you these powers freely. So help other people freely. ⁹ Don’t carry any money with you—gold or silver or copper. ¹⁰ Don’t carry a bag. Take for your trip only the clothes and sandals you are wearing. Don’t take a walking stick. A worker should be given the things he needs.

¹¹ “When you enter a city or town, find some worthy person there and stay in his home until you leave. ¹² When you enter that home, say, ‘Peace be with you.’ ¹³ If the people there welcome you, let your peace stay there. But if they don’t welcome you, take back the peace you wished for them. ¹⁴ And if a home or town refuses to welcome you or listen to you, then leave that place. Shake its dust off your feet.^{[a] 15} I tell you the truth. On the Judgment Day it will be worse for that town than for the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah.^[b]