Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

TETH

12 When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned Yahweh’s law, and all Israel with him. ² In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had trespassed against Yahweh, ³ with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. ⁴ He took the fortified cities which belonged to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. ⁵ Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, who were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said to them, “Yahweh says, ‘You have forsaken me, therefore I have also left you in the hand of Shishak.’”

⁶ Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “Yahweh is righteous.”

⁷ When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, Yahweh’s word came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath won’t be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. ⁸ Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”

⁹ So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of Yahweh’s house and the treasures of the king’s house. He took it all away. He also took away the shields of gold which Solomon had made. ¹⁰ King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who kept the door of the king’s house. ¹¹ As often as the king entered into Yahweh’s house, the guard came and bore them, then brought them back into the guard room. ¹² When he humbled himself, Yahweh’s wrath turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. Moreover, there were good things found in Judah.

⁷ Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Don’t be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp.^{(A) 12} Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. ¹³ Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. ¹⁴ For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come. ¹⁵ Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God^(B) continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name. ¹⁶ But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

¹⁸ Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things. ¹⁹ I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, ²¹ make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.