Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The God of Israel at Sinai

68 May God rise up. May those who hate Him be divided. And may they run away from Him. ² Drive them away like smoke in the wind. Let the sinful be destroyed before God like a candle melts by the fire. ³ But let those who are right and good be glad. Let them be happy before God. Yes, let them be full of joy. ⁴ Sing to God. Sing praises to His name. Make a road for Him Who goes through the deserts. The Lord is His name. Be full of joy before Him.

⁵ God in His holy house is a father to those who have no father. And He keeps the women safe whose husbands have died. ⁶ God makes a home for those who are alone. He leads men out of prison into happiness and well-being. But those who fight against Him live in an empty desert.

⁷ O God, when You went out before Your people, when You walked through the desert, ⁸ the earth shook. The heavens poured down rain before God. And Sinai shook before God, the God of Israel. ⁹ You sent a heavy rain, O God. You brought life back to Your promised land when it was dry. ¹⁰ Your people made it their home. O God, You gave the poor what they needed because You are good.

¹⁹ Honor and thanks be to the Lord, Who carries our heavy loads day by day. He is the God Who saves us. ²⁰ Our God is a God Who sets us free. The way out of death belongs to God the Lord.

¹⁶ “If I have kept what the poor should have or have caused the eyes of the woman whose husband has died to be tired, ¹⁷ if I have eaten my food alone without sharing it with the child who has no parents, ¹⁸ (but from the time I was young, he grew up with me as a father, and I have helped the woman without a husband since I was born,) ¹⁹ if I have seen anyone die because he had no clothing, or left any poor person without clothes, ²⁰ if he has not thanked me for the clothing on his body, and been made warm with the wool of my sheep, ²¹ if I have not done these things, or if I have lifted up my hand against the child who has no parents, because I saw I had help in the gate, ²² let my shoulder fall out of place, and let my arm be broken off at the joint. ²³ For trouble sent by God fills me with fear. Because of His great power I could not do these things.

Two Were Healed through Faith ^(A)

⁴⁰ Many people were glad to see Jesus when He got back. They were waiting for Him. ⁴¹ A man named Jairus was a leader of the Jewish place of worship. As he came to Jesus, he got down at His feet. He asked Jesus if He would come to his house. ⁴² He had only one daughter and she was dying. This girl was about twelve years old. As Jesus went, the people pushed Him from every side.

⁴³ A woman had been sick for twelve years with a flow of blood. (*She had spent all the money she had on doctors.) But she could not be healed by anyone. ⁴⁴ She came behind Jesus and touched the bottom of His coat. At once the flow of blood stopped. ⁴⁵ Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” Everyone said that they had not touched Him. Peter said, “Teacher, so many people are pushing You from every side and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” ⁴⁶ Then Jesus said, “Someone touched Me because I know power has gone from Me.” ⁴⁷ When the woman saw she could not hide it, she came shaking. She got down before Jesus. Then she told Jesus in front of all the people why she had touched Him. She told how she was healed at once. ⁴⁸ Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

⁴⁹ While Jesus was yet talking, a man came from the house of the leader of the place of worship. This man said to Jairus, “Your daughter is dead. Do not make the Teacher use anymore of His time.” ⁵⁰ Jesus heard it and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid, only believe. She will be made well.”

⁵¹ Jesus went into the house. He let only Peter and James and John and the father and mother of the girl go in with Him. ⁵² Everyone was crying and full of sorrow because of her. Jesus said, “Do not cry. She is not dead, but is sleeping.” ⁵³ Then they laughed at Jesus because they knew she was dead. ⁵⁴ Jesus sent them all out. He took the girl by the hand and said, “Child, get up!” ⁵⁵ Her spirit came back and she got up at once. Jesus told them to bring her food. ⁵⁶ Her parents were surprised and wondered about it. Then Jesus told them they should tell no one what had happened.