Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

To the Overcomer, A Psalm of David.

¹ ¶ The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is no one that does good.

² The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God.

³ They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is no one that does good, no, not one.

⁴ ¶ The workers of iniquity certainly know this; those who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD.

⁵ There they were in great fear: for God is with the nation of the righteous.

⁶ Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor because the LORD is his hope.

⁷ Oh that the saving health of Israel were come out of Zion! When the LORD turns back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

⁶ ¶ And when the sons of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

⁷ And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men.

⁸ And the sons of Ammon came out and ordered their troops at the entering in of the gate, and the Syrians of Zoba and of Rehob and Ishtob and Maacah were in order by themselves in the field.

⁹ When Joab saw that there were troops before and behind him, he chose from among the chosen men of Israel and put them in order against the Syrians.

¹⁰ Then he delivered the rest of the people into the hand of Abishai his brother that he might put them in order against the sons of Ammon.

¹¹ And he said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

¹² Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God; and let the LORD do that which seems good unto him.

¹² ¶ Clothed, therefore, (as the elect of God, holy and beloved) with bowels of mercies, with kindness, with humility, with meekness, with tolerance,

¹³ forbearing one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a quarrel against another: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.

¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, into which likewise ye are called into one body, and be ye thankful.

¹⁶ Let the word of the Christ dwell in you in abundance in all wisdom, teaching you and exhorting you one to another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with grace singing in your hearts unto the Lord.

¹⁷ And whatever ye do whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God and Father by him.