Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

15 Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill?

² Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere. ³ Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbor, ⁴ speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him, ⁵ does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him—such a man shall stand firm forever.

¹⁷ “Justice must be given to migrants and orphans, and you must never accept a widow’s garment in pledge of her debt. ¹⁸ Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God rescued you; that is why I have given you this command. ¹⁹ If, when reaping your harvest, you forget to bring in a sheaf from the field, don’t go back after it. Leave it for the migrants, orphans, and widows; then the Lord your God will bless and prosper all you do. ²⁰ When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice; leave anything remaining for the migrants, orphans, and widows. ²¹ It is the same for the grapes in your vineyard; don’t glean the vines after they are picked, but leave what’s left for those in need. ²² Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt—that is why I am giving you this command.

25 ^1-3 “If a man is guilty of a crime and the penalty is a beating, the judge shall command him to lie down and be beaten in his presence with up to forty stripes in proportion to the seriousness of the crime; but no more than forty stripes may be given lest the punishment seem too severe, and your brother be degraded in your eyes.

⁴ “Don’t muzzle an ox as it treads out the grain.

¹⁷ Pastors who do their work well should be paid well and should be highly appreciated, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scriptures say, “Never tie up the mouth of an ox when it is treading out the grain—let him eat as he goes along!” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

¹⁹ Don’t listen to complaints against the pastor unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse him. ²⁰ If he has really sinned, then he should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that no one else will follow his example.

²¹ I solemnly command you in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ and of the holy angels to do this whether the pastor is a special friend of yours or not. All must be treated exactly the same. ²² Never be in a hurry about choosing a pastor; you may overlook his sins, and it will look as if you approve of them. Be sure that you yourself stay away from all sin. ²³ (By the way, this doesn’t mean you should completely give up drinking wine. You ought to take a little sometimes as medicine for your stomach because you are sick so often.)

²⁴ Remember that some men, even pastors, lead sinful lives, and everyone knows it. In such situations you can do something about it. But in other cases only the judgment day will reveal the terrible truth.