Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 15
A Description of the Godly
A psalm of David.
2 The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness,
and acknowledges the truth in his heart(C)—
3 who does not slander with his tongue,(D)
who does not harm his friend
or discredit his neighbor,(E)
4 who despises the one rejected by the Lord[a]
but honors those who fear the Lord,(F)
who keeps his word whatever the cost,(G)
5 who does not lend his silver at interest(H)
or take a bribe against the innocent(I)—
the one who does these things will never be shaken.(J)
17 Do not deny justice to a resident alien or fatherless child, and do not take a widow’s garment as security. 18 Remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed(A) you from there. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.(B)
19 “When you reap the harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.(C) 20 When you knock down the fruit from your olive tree, do not go over the branches again. What remains will be for the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, do not glean what is left. What remains will be for the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.(D)
Fairness and Mercy
25 “If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court, and the judges will hear their case. They will clear the innocent and condemn the guilty. 2 If the guilty party deserves to be flogged, the judge will make him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate for his crime. 3 He may be flogged with forty lashes, but no more. Otherwise, if he is flogged with more lashes than these, your brother will be degraded in your sight.
4 “Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain.(E)
Honoring the Elders
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor,[a] especially those who work hard(A) at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,[b](B) and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”(C)
19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.(D) 20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe(E) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22 Don’t be too quick to appoint[c](F) anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.(G) 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment,(H) but the sins of others surface[d] later.
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