Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
20 I have found my servant David.
I have poured my sacred oil on his head.
21 My powerful hand will keep him going.
My mighty arm will give him strength.
22 No enemy will have the victory over him.
No evil person will treat him badly.
23 I will crush the king’s enemies.
I will completely destroy them.
24 I will love him and be faithful to him.
Because of me his power will increase.
25 I will give him a great kingdom.
It will reach from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River.
26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father.
You are my God. You are my Rock and Savior.’
27 I will also make him my oldest son.
Among all the kings of the earth, he will be the most important one.
28 I will continue to love him forever.
I will never break my covenant with him.
29 I will make his family line continue forever.
His kingdom will last as long as the heavens.
30 “What if his sons turn away from my laws
and do not follow them?
31 What if they disobey my orders
and fail to keep my commands?
32 Then I will punish them for their sins.
I will strike them with a rod.
I will whip them for their evil acts.
33 But I will not stop loving David.
I will always be faithful to him.
34 I will not break my covenant.
I will not go back on my word.
35 Once and for all, I have made a promise.
It is based on my holiness.
And I will not lie to David.
36 His family line will continue forever.
His kingdom will last as long as the sun.
37 It will last forever like the moon,
that faithful witness in the sky.”
David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem
15 David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David. Then he prepared a place for the ark of God. He set up a tent for it. 2 He said, “Only Levites can carry the ark of God. That’s because the Lord chose them to carry his ark. He chose them to serve him forever in front of the place where his throne is.”
4 He appointed some of the Levites to serve in front of the ark of the Lord. David wanted them to give honor, thanks and praise to the Lord. He is the God of Israel. 5 Asaph was the leader of those Levites. Zechariah was next in rank. Then came Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps. Asaph played the cymbals. 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel, the priests, blew the trumpets. They blew them at regular times in front of the ark of the covenant of God.
7 That day was the first time David appointed Asaph and his helpers. He appointed them to give praise to the Lord with these words.
8 Give praise to the Lord. Make his name known.
Tell the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him. Sing praise to him.
Tell about all the wonderful things he has done.
10 Honor him, because his name is holy.
Let the hearts of those who trust in the Lord be glad.
11 Look to the Lord and to his strength.
Always look to him.
12 Remember the wonderful things he has done.
Remember his miracles and how he judged our enemies.
13 Remember, you his servants, the children of Israel.
Remember, you people of Jacob. Remember, you who are chosen by God.
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
35 Jesus was approaching Jericho. A blind man was sitting by the side of the road begging. 36 The blind man heard the crowd going by. He asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38 So the blind man called out, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
39 Those who led the way commanded him to stop. They told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, “Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When the man came near, Jesus spoke to him. 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“Lord, I want to be able to see,” the blind man replied.
42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” 43 Right away he could see. He followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
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