Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Joy Comes with the Morning

A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of ^(A)the temple.

²⁵ Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. ^(A)From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. ²⁶ And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he ^(B)cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels^[a] by the king's weight. ²⁷ There were born ^(C)to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.

²⁸ So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence. ²⁹ Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come. ³⁰ Then he said to his servants, “See, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom's servants set the field on fire.^{[b] 31} Then Joab arose and went to Absalom at his house and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” ³² Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent word to you, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, “Why have I come from ^(D)Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, ^(E)and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.’” ³³ Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.

^2 (A)And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus ^(B)saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ^(C)“Take heart, my son; ^(D)your sins are forgiven.” ³ And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, ^(E)“This man is blaspheming.” ⁴ But Jesus, ^(F)knowing^[a] their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? ⁵ For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? ⁶ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” ⁷ And he rose and went home. ⁸ When the crowds saw it, ^(G)they were afraid, and ^(H)they glorified God, who had ^(I)given such authority to men.