Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
17 Yet they sinned still more against him,
(A)rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
18 They (B)tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God, saying,
(C)“Can God (D)spread a table in the wilderness?
20 (E)He struck the rock so that water gushed out
and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread
or provide meat for his people?”
52 Then he led out his people (A)like sheep
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 (B)He led them in safety, so that they (C)were not afraid,
but (D)the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 And he brought them to his (E)holy land,
(F)to the mountain which his right hand had (G)won.
55 He (H)drove out nations before them;
he (I)apportioned them for a possession
and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.
The Lord Speaks to Elijah
9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, (A)the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very (B)jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, (C)thrown down your altars, and (D)killed your prophets with the sword, (E)and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and (F)stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and (G)a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind (H)an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.[a] 13 And when Elijah heard it, (I)he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, (J)there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, (K)“I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, (L)thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 (M)And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and (N)Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from (O)the sword of Hazael (P)shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu (Q)shall Elisha put to death. 18 (R)Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not (S)kissed him.”
The Remnant of Israel
11 I ask, then, (A)has God rejected his people? By no means! For (B)I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham,[a] a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 (C)God has not rejected his people whom he (D)foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 (E)“Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God's reply to him? (F)“I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is (G)a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 (H)But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.