Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

The Fool and God’s Response

⁶ When the Ammonites realized that they had created quite a stink with^[a] David, they hired 20,000 Aramean mercenaries from Beth-rehob and Zobah, along with the king of Maacah and 1,000 men, and 12,000 men from Tob. ⁷ In response, David sent out Joab and his entire army of elite soldiers. ⁸ The Ammonites went out in battle formation at the entrance to the city^[b] gate, while the Arameans from Zobah and Rehob, along with the army^[c] from Tob and Maacah, were out by themselves in the open fields.

⁹ When Joab observed that the battle lines were set up to oppose him both in front and behind, he appointed the best troops in Israel and arrayed them to oppose the Arameans, ¹⁰ putting the rest of his forces under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them to oppose the Ammonites. ¹¹ He said, “If the Arameans prove too strong for me, then you are to help me. If the Ammonites prove too strong for you, then I will come help you. ¹² Be strong, be courageous on behalf of our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what he thinks is best.”

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness,^[a] and patience. ¹³ Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord^[b] has forgiven you, you also should forgive.^{[c] 14} Above all, clothe yourselves with^[d] love, which ties everything together in unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of the Messiah^[e] also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of the Messiah^[f] inhabit you richly with wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and singing to God with thankfulness in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.