Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

David wrote this song. He asks God to bless the Temple.

Thank you, Lord^[a]

²⁵ Everyone in Israel praised Absalom. They all thought that he was the most handsome man in the whole country. His body was perfect, from head to toe. ²⁶ Once every year he cut his hair because it became too heavy. Each time, the hair that he cut off weighed about 2 kilograms.

²⁷ Absalom had three sons and one daughter. Her name was Tamar. She was a very beautiful woman.

²⁸ Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years, but he never saw the king. ²⁹ Then Absalom sent a message to Joab. He asked Joab to come to him. He wanted Joab to go to the king on his behalf. But Joab refused to come to Absalom. So then Absalom sent another message, but Joab still refused to come. ³⁰ Then Absalom said to his servants, ‘Joab has a field that is next to mine. Some barley is growing in it. Go and light a fire there, so that it all burns.’ So Absalom's servants went to Joab's field and they did that.

³¹ Then Joab did go to Absalom's house. He asked Absalom, ‘Why did your servants take fire and burn my field?’

³² Absalom replied, ‘You did not come when I sent messages to you. I wanted you to take a message to the king on my behalf. I wanted to ask the king, “Why have you brought me from Geshur to Jerusalem? It would have been better for me to stay there!” Now I want to go to see the king myself. If he thinks that I am guilty, then he can punish me with death.’

³³ So Joab went to the king. He told the king what Absalom had said. King David then sent his men to bring Absalom to him. When Absalom arrived, he bent his body down low in front of the king, with his face towards the ground. The king was happy and he kissed Absalom.

² Some men came to see Jesus there. They carried with them a man who could not walk or move his legs. He was lying on a mat. Jesus knew that they believed in him. He said to the man who could not walk, ‘Do not be afraid, my friend. I forgive you for the wrong things that you have done.’

³ Then some teachers of God's Law said to themselves: ‘This man is speaking as if he is God. That is not right.’

⁴ Jesus knew what the teachers were thinking. So he said to them, ‘You should not think these bad things in your minds. ⁵ I said to this man, “I forgive you for the wrong things that you have done.” Instead, I could have said to him, “Stand up and walk.” Which one is easier for me to say? ⁶ But I want you to know this. I, the Son of Man, have authority on earth.^[a] I can forgive people for the wrong things that they have done.’ Then he said to the man who could not walk, ‘Stand up. Pick up your mat and go home.’ ⁷ So then the man stood up and he went home. ⁸ The crowds of people saw what had happened. They were very surprised and afraid. They saw that God had given so much authority to men. So they praised God and they said, ‘God is great!’