Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Confidence in God’s Protection.

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Series of Kings: Azariah (Uzziah) over Judah

15 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam [II] king of Israel, Azariah (Uzziah) the son of Amaziah king of Judah became king. ² He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. ³ He did right in the sight of the Lord, in accordance with all that his father Amaziah had done. ⁴ Only [the altars on] the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places [instead of worshiping God at the temple]. ⁵ And the Lord struck (afflicted) the king, and he was a leper until the day of his death, and lived in a separate house. Jotham the king’s son was in charge of the household, judging the people of the land.^{(A) 6} Now the rest of Azariah’s acts, and everything that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? ⁷ Azariah slept with his fathers [in death], and they buried him with his fathers in the City of David. His son Jotham became king in his place.

⁵ Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them: “Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not go into a city of the Samaritans; ⁶ but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷ And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. ⁹ Do not take gold, or silver, or [even] copper money in your money belt, ¹⁰ or a provision bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker deserves his support. ¹¹ Whatever city or village you enter, ask who in it is worthy [who welcomes you and your message], and stay at his house until you leave [that city]. ¹² As you go into the house, give it your greeting [that is, ‘Peace be to this house’]. ¹³ If [the family living in] the house is worthy [welcoming you and your message], give it your [blessing of] ^[a]peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God]. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. ¹⁴ Whoever does not welcome you, nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, ^[b]shake the dust [of it] off your feet [in contempt, breaking all ties].^{(A) 15} I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of ^[c]Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city [since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger].