Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Naaman’s Disease Healed
5 Naaman,(A) commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight[a] and highly regarded(B) because through him, the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was a brave warrior, but he had a skin disease.(C)
2 Aram had gone on raids(D) and brought back from the land of Israel a young girl who served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to[b] the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.”
4 So Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. 5 Therefore, the king of Aram said, “Go and I will send a letter with you to the king of Israel.”
So he went and took with him 750 pounds[c] of silver, 150 pounds[d] of gold, and 10 changes of clothes.(E) 6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, and it read:
When this letter comes to you, note that I have sent you my servant Naaman for you to cure him of his skin disease.
7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes(F) and asked, “Am I God,(G) killing and giving life that this man expects me to cure a man of his skin disease? Think it over and you will see that he is only picking a fight with[e] me.”(H)
8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel tore his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel.”(I) 9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house.
10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger,(J) who said, “Go wash(K) seven times(L) in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.”
11 But Naaman got angry and left, saying, “I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and will wave his hand(M) over the spot and cure the skin disease. 12 Aren’t Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?(N) Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and left in a rage.(O)
13 But his servants approached and said to him, “My father,(P) if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” 14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored and became like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean.(Q)
Psalm 30
Joy in the Morning
A psalm; a dedication song for the house. Davidic.
1 I will exalt You, Lord,
because You have lifted me up(A)
and have not allowed my enemies
to triumph over me.(B)
2 Lord my God,
I cried to You for help, and You healed me.(C)
3 Lord, You brought me up from Sheol;(D)
You spared me from among those
going down[a] to the Pit.(E)
4 Sing to Yahweh, you His faithful ones,
and praise His holy name.(F)
5 For His anger lasts only a moment,
but His favor, a lifetime.
Weeping may spend the night,
but there is joy in the morning.(G)
6 When I was secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”(H)
7 Lord, when You showed Your favor,
You made me stand like a strong mountain;(I)
when You hid Your face, I was terrified.(J)
8 Lord, I called to You;
I sought favor from my Lord:(K)
9 “What gain is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it proclaim Your truth?(L)
10 Lord, listen and be gracious to me;
Lord, be my helper.”(M)
24 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race,(A) but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.(B) 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control(C) in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown(D) that will fade away,(E) but we a crown that will never fade away. 26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.(F)
A Man Cleansed
40 Then(A) a man with a serious skin disease(B) came to Him and, on his knees,[a](C) begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”(D)
41 Moved with compassion,(E) Jesus reached out His hand and touched(F) him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the disease(G) left him, and he was healed.[b] 43 Then He sternly warned(H) him and sent him away(I) at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone;(J) but go and show(K) yourself to the priest,(L) and offer(M) what Moses prescribed for your cleansing,(N) as a testimony(O) to them.” 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim(P) it widely and to spread the news,(Q) with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But He was out in deserted places, and they would come to Him from everywhere.
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