Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
9 He went into a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly the Lord’s message came to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 10 He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal[a] to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies,[b] even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you,[c] torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.”[d] 11 The Lord[e] said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Look, the Lord is ready to pass by.”
A very powerful wind went before the Lord, digging into the mountain and causing landslides,[f] but the Lord was not in the wind. After the windstorm there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper.[g] 13 When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Suddenly[h] a voice asked him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 14 He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal[i] to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies,[j] even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.”[k] 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came and then head for the wilderness of Damascus. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria. 16 You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. 17 Jehu will kill anyone who escapes Hazael’s sword, and Elisha will kill anyone who escapes Jehu’s sword. 18 I still have left in Israel 7,000 followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him.”[l]
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says.[a]
For he will make[b] peace with his people, his faithful followers.[c]
Yet they must not[d] return to their foolish ways.
9 Certainly his loyal followers will soon experience his deliverance;[e]
then his splendor will again appear in our land.[f]
10 Loyal love and faithfulness meet;[g]
deliverance and peace greet each other with a kiss.[h]
11 Faithfulness grows from the ground,
and deliverance looks down from the sky.[i]
12 Yes, the Lord will bestow his good blessings,[j]
and our land will yield[k] its crops.
13 Deliverance goes[l] before him,
and prepares[m] a pathway for him.[n]
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is by the law: “The one who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart,[b] ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or “Who will descend into the abyss?”[d] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”[e] (that is, the word of faith that we preach), 9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord[f] and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness[g] and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.[h] 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”[i] 12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.[j]
14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?[k] 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely[l] is the arrival[m] of those who proclaim the good news.”[n]
Walking on Water
22 Immediately Jesus[a] made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds. 23 And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat, already far from land,[b] was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. 25 As the night was ending,[c] Jesus came to them walking on the sea.[d] 26 When[e] the disciples saw him walking on the water[f] they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out with fear. 27 But immediately Jesus[g] spoke to them:[h] “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 Peter[i] said to him,[j] “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” 29 So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out,[k] “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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