Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Elisha Heals a Syrian General
5 Now Naaman, the commander of the king of Syria’s army, was esteemed and respected by his master,[a] for through him the Lord had given Syria military victories. But this great warrior had a skin disease.[b] 2 Raiding parties went out from Syria and took captive from the land of Israel a young girl, who became a servant to Naaman’s wife. 3 She told her mistress, “If only my master were in the presence of the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his skin disease.”
7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill or restore life? Why does he ask me to cure a man of his skin disease?[a] Certainly you must see that he is looking for an excuse to fight me!”[b]
8 When Elisha the prophet[c] heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent this message to the king, “Why did you tear your clothes? Send him[d] to me so he may know there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood in the doorway of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent out a messenger who told him, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan; your skin will be restored[e] and you will be healed.” 11 Naaman went away angry. He said, “Look, I thought for sure he would come out, stand there, invoke the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the area, and cure the skin disease. 12 The rivers of Damascus, the Abana and Pharpar, are better than any of the waters of Israel![f] Could I not wash in them and be healed?” So he turned around and went away angry. 13 His servants approached and said to him,[g] “O master,[h] if the prophet had told you to do some difficult task,[i] you would have been willing to do it.[j] It seems you should be happy that he simply said, ‘Wash and you will be healed.’[k] 14 So he went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, as the prophet had instructed.[l] His skin became as smooth as a young child’s[m] and he was healed.
15 He and his entire entourage returned to the prophet. Naaman[n] came and stood before him. He said, “For sure[o] I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel! Now, please accept a gift from your servant.”
Psalm 111[a]
111 Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the assembly of the godly and the congregation.
2 The Lord’s deeds are great,
eagerly awaited[b] by all who desire them.
3 His work is majestic and glorious,[c]
and his faithfulness endures[d] forever.
4 He does[e] amazing things that will be remembered;[f]
the Lord is merciful and compassionate.
5 He gives[g] food to his faithful followers;[h]
he always remembers his covenant.[i]
6 He announced that he would do mighty deeds for his people,
giving them a land that belonged to other nations.[j]
7 His acts are characterized by[k] faithfulness and justice;
all his precepts are reliable.[l]
8 They are forever firm,
and should be faithfully and properly carried out.[m]
9 He delivered his people;[n]
he ordained that his covenant be observed forever.[o]
His name is holy and awesome.
10 To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living;[p]
all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight.[q]
He will receive praise forever.[r]
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David;[a] such is my gospel,[b] 9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment[c] as a criminal, but God’s message[d] is not imprisoned![e] 10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God,[f] that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.[g] 11 This saying[h] is trustworthy:[i]
If we died with him, we will also live with him.
12 If we endure, we will also reign with him.[j]
If we deny[k] him,[l] he will also deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.[m]
Dealing with False Teachers
14 Remind people[n] of these things and solemnly charge them[o] before the Lord[p] not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.[q] 15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.[r]
The Grateful Leper
11 Now on[a] the way to Jerusalem,[b] Jesus[c] was passing along[d] between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As[e] he was entering[f] a village, ten men with leprosy[g] met him. They[h] stood at a distance, 13 raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy[i] on us.” 14 When[j] he saw them he said, “Go[k] and show yourselves to the priests.”[l] And[m] as they went along, they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, praising[n] God with a loud voice. 16 He[o] fell with his face to the ground[p] at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.[q] (Now[r] he was a Samaritan.)[s] 17 Then[t] Jesus said,[u] “Were[v] not ten cleansed? Where are the other[w] nine? 18 Was no one found to turn back and give praise to God except this foreigner?”[x] 19 Then[y] he said to the man,[z] “Get up and go your way. Your faith has made you well.”[aa]
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