Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
35 Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Lay hand upon the shield and buckler; and stand up for my help.
3 Also, bring out the spear, and stop the way against those who persecute me. Say to my soul, “I am Your salvation.”
4 Let those who seek after my soul be confounded and put to shame. Let those who imagine my hurt be turned back and brought to confusion.
5 Let them be as chaff before the wind; and let the Angel of the LORD scatter them.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery; and let the Angel of the LORD persecute them.
7 For without cause, they have hidden the pit and their net for me. Without cause, they have dug a pit for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly; and let his net that he has laid secretly, take him. Let him fall into the same destruction.
9 Then my soul shall be joyful in the LORD. It shall rejoice in His salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, “LORD, who is like You, Who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him; indeed, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him!?”
22 And the wrath of God was kindled, because he went and the Angel of the LORD stood against him in the way as he rode upon his donkey. And his two servants were with him.
23 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD stand in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand, the donkey turned off the road and went into the field. But Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back on the road.
24 Again, the Angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall on one side and a wall on the other.
25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she thrust herself into the wall and hit Balaam’s foot against the wall. Therefore, he struck her again.
26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn, to the right or the left.
27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. Therefore, Balaam was very angry and struck the donkey with a staff.
28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me now three times?”
32 And I would have you without cares. The unmarried cares for things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
33 But he who is married cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife.
34 Also, there is difference between a virgin and a wife. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy, both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 And this I speak for your own benefit. Not to tangle you in a snare, but that you may be respectable and serve the Lord without distraction.
36 But if any man thinks he is behaving less than optimally toward his virgin, if she has passed the flower of her age, and so requires, let him do what he will. He does not sin. Let her be married.
37 Nevertheless, he who stands firm in his heart, that he has no need, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart, that he will watch over his virgin, he does well.
38 So then, he who gives her to marriage, does well. But he who does not give her to marriage, does better.
39 The wife is bound by the law, as long as her husband lives. But if her husband is dead, she is free to marry whomever she wishes, only in the Lord.
40 But she is more blessed if she so remains, in my judgment. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
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