Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 121

A Song of Ascents.

Laban’s Covenant With Jacob

⁴³ Laban answered and said to Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to my daughters or to their children whom they have borne? ⁴⁴ Now therefore come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be as a witness between you and me.”

⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar. ⁴⁶ Jacob said to his kinsmen, “Gather stones.” So they took stones and made a pile, and they ate there on the pile. ⁴⁷ And Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.

⁴⁸ Laban said, “This pile is a witness between me and you this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed, ⁴⁹ and Mizpah, for he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me, when we are apart from one another. ⁵⁰ If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take other wives beside my daughters, although no one else is with us, remember that God is witness between you and me.”

⁵¹ Then Laban said to Jacob, “See this pile and see this pillar which I have thrown between you and me. ⁵² This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, so that I will not cross over this pile to you and so that you will not pass over this pile and this pillar to me for harm. ⁵³ The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father, judge between us.”

Then Jacob vowed by the Fear of his father Isaac. ⁵⁴ Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his kinsmen to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.

⁵⁵ Early in the morning Laban rose up, kissed his grandchildren and his daughters, and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau

32 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. ² When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

An Approved Workman

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, commanding them before the Lord that they not argue about words, which leads to nothing of value and to the destruction of those who hear them. ¹⁵ Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid profane foolish babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their word will spread like gangrene: Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and who overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ But the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

²⁰ In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some are for honor, and some for dishonor. ²¹ One who cleanses himself from these things will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, fit for the Master’s use, and prepared for every good work.

²² So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and unlearned debates, knowing that they create strife. ²⁴ The servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be gentle toward all people, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in gentleness instructing those in opposition. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth, ²⁶ and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.