Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

This is a song that David wrote for the music leader.

Lord, please help me!

²⁰ There was another prophet who was called Uriah. He was the son of Shemaiah, from Kiriath-Jearim. Uriah prophesied against this city and this nation, with the Lord's authority, as Jeremiah did. ²¹ When King Jehoiakim, his personal guards and all his officers heard what Uriah was saying, the king wanted to kill him. But Uriah heard about it and he was afraid. So he ran away to Egypt. ²² But King Jehoiakim sent Akbor's son Elnathan and some other men to Egypt. ²³ They brought Uriah back from there to King Jehoiakim. The king punished Uriah with death. They threw his dead body in the place where they buried poor people.^[a]

²⁴ But Shaphan's son Ahikam, spoke on Jeremiah's behalf. He stopped the people from taking hold of Jeremiah and killing him.

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, ‘What we say about you is right! You are from Samaria and you have a demon in you!’^{[a] 49} Jesus replied, ‘There is no demon in me. I want people to know how great my Father is. But you want people to think bad things about me. ⁵⁰ I myself do not want people to praise me. But there is someone who wants people to praise me. He is the one who decides if I am right. ⁵¹ I tell you this: Anyone who obeys my words will never die.’ ⁵² The Jews said, ‘Now we know that a demon lives in you! Abraham and all the prophets died. But you say, “Anyone who obeys my words will never know death!” ⁵³ You cannot be greater than our father Abraham, and he died! You cannot be greater than the prophets, and they all died! Who do you think that you are?’

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, ‘If I myself wanted people to praise me, that would be worth nothing. But it is my Father who wants that. And you say that he is your God. ⁵⁵ You have never known him, but I know him. I might say, “I do not know him.” But then I would be telling a lie. So I would be like you. But I do know him, and I obey his words. ⁵⁶ Your ancestor Abraham knew that I would come at some time. He was happy to know that he would see that time. He did see that time, and he was very happy.’

⁵⁷ The Jews said, ‘You are not 50 years old yet. But you say that you have seen Abraham!’ ⁵⁸ Jesus said, ‘I tell you this: Before Abraham was even born, “I am”.’^{[b] 59} Then they picked up stones. They wanted to throw them at him and kill him. But Jesus hid himself from them. He went away from the temple.