Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Parashat Kedoshim

Holiness Code

19 Adonai spoke to Moses saying: ² “Speak to all the congregation of Bnei-Yisrael and tell them: You shall be kedoshim, for I, Adonai your God, am holy.

⁹ “When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very corners of your field, nor are you to gather the gleanings of your harvest. ¹⁰ You are not to pick the remnants of your vineyard, nor are you to gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. Instead, you are to leave them for the poor and for the outsider. I am Adonai your God.

¹¹ “You are not to steal. You are not to lie. You are not to deceive one another.

¹² “You are not to swear by My Name falsely, and so profane the Name of your God. I am Adonai.

¹³ “You are not to oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired servant are not to remain with you all night until the morning.

¹⁴ “You are not to curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am Adonai.

¹⁵ “You are to do no injustice in judgment. You are not to be partial toward the poor nor show favoritism toward the great, but you are to judge your neighbor with fairness.

¹⁶ “You are not to go up and down as a talebearer among your people. You are not to endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Adonai.

¹⁷ “You are not to hate your brother in your heart. Instead, you are to firmly rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. ¹⁸ You are not to take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.^[a] I am Adonai.

HEY ה

¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each consider carefully how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any other foundation than what is already laid^[a]—which is Yeshua the Messiah.

¹⁶ Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that the Ruach Elohim dwells among you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so he may become wise. ^{[a] 19} For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written, “He catches the clever in their craftiness.” ^{[b] 20} And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless.” ^{[c] 21} So let no one boast about men. For all things are yours— ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Kefa, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come. All are yours, ²³ and you are Messiah’s, and Messiah is God’s.

Overcoming Evil with Good

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ^{[a] 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evildoer. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him also the other. ⁴⁰ And the one wanting to sue you and to take your shirt, let him also have your coat. ⁴¹ Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor^[b] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than anyone else? Even the pagans do that, don’t they? ⁴⁸ Therefore be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”