Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A Summary of Ishmael’s Life

¹² Now this is what happened to Ishmael, whom Sarah’s Egyptian servant Hagar bore for Abraham. ¹³ Here’s a list of the names of Ishmael’s sons, recorded by their names and descendants: Nebaioth was the firstborn, followed by^[a] Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, ¹⁴ Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ¹⁵ Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. ¹⁶ These were Ishmael’s children, listed by their names according to their villages and their camps. There were a total of twelve tribal chiefs, according to their clans. ¹⁷ Ishmael lived^[b] for 137 years, then he took his last breath, died, and joined his ancestors.^{[c] 18} His descendants^[d] settled from Havilah to Shur (that’s near Egypt), all the way to Assyria, in defiance^[e] of all of his relatives.

The Letter to the Church in Smyrna

⁸ “To the messenger^[a] of the church in Smyrna, write:

‘The first and the last, who was dead and became alive, says this:

⁹ ‘I know your suffering and your poverty—though you are rich—and the slander committed by those who claim to be Jews but are not. They are the synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The Devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. For ten days you will undergo suffering. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the victor’s crown of life.

¹¹ ‘Let everyone^[b] listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes^[c] will never be hurt by the second death.’”