Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
16 But to the wicked God said, “Why have you declared My ordinances, that you would take My Covenant in your mouth,
17 “seeing you hate to be reformed and have cast My words behind you?
18 “For when you see a thief, you run with him; and you are partaker with the adulterers.
19 “You give your mouth to evil; and with your tongue you forge deceit.
20 “You sit and speak against your brother and slander your mother’s son.
21 “These things you have done; and I held My tongue. Therefore, you thought that I was like you. But I will rebuke you and set them in order before your eyes.
22 “Oh, consider this, you who forget God; lest I tear you in pieces and there are none who can deliver you.
23 “He who offers praise shall glorify Me. And to him who sets his way aright, I will show the salvation of God.” To him who excels: A Psalm of David, when the Prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone into Bathsheba.
13 Now after this, so it was that Absalom, the son of David, had a fair sister whose name was Tamar. And Amnon, the son of David, loved her.
2 And Amnon was so severely troubled that he fell sick over his sister Tamar. For she was a virgin, and it seemed extraordinary for Amnon to be able to do anything.
3 But Amnon had a friend called Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. And Jonadab was a very cunning man,
4 who said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, so low from day to day? Will you not tell me?” Then Amnon answered him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
5 And Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food. And let her prepare food in my sight, so that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’”
6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let Tamar, my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, so that I may receive food by her hand.”
7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”
8 So, Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house. And he was laying down. And she took flour and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.
9 And she took a pan and poured them out before him. But he would not eat. Then Amnon said, “Have every man go out from me.” So, every man went out from him.
10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the chamber, so that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes which she had made and brought them into the chamber, to Amnon her brother.
11 And when she had set them before him to eat, he took her and said to her, “Come. Lie with me, my sister.”
12 But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me. For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Do not commit this folly.
13 “And me, where would my shame go? And you would be as one of the fools in Israel. Now, therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not deny me from you.”
14 However, he would not listen to her voice. But, being stronger than her, he forced her and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Up! Go away!”
16 And she answered him, “There is no reason. This evil (to send me away) is greater than the other that you did to me.” But he would not hear her,
17 and called his servant who served him, and said, “Send this woman away from me now, and lock the door after her!”
18 And she had a garment of diverse colors upon her. For the king’s daughters who were virgins were appareled with such garments. Then his servant brought her out and locked the door after her.
19 And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the garment of diverse colors which was upon her and laid her hand on her head and went away, crying.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and particular members.
28 And God has ordained some in the Church: first Apostles, second Prophets, third teachers, then those who do miracles, after that, the gifts of healing, helping, administration, kinds of tongues.
29 Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all teachers?
30 Are all doers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
31 But desire the better gifts. And still I will show you a more excellent way.
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