Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁵ The king gave a command to Joab, Abishai and Ittai. He said, “Be gentle with young Absalom for my sake.” Everyone heard the king’s orders about Absalom to the commanders.

⁶ David’s army went out into the field against Absalom’s Israelites. They fought in the forest of Ephraim. ⁷ There David’s army defeated the Israelites. Many died that day—20,000 men. ⁸ The battle spread through all the country. But that day more men died in the forest than in the fighting.

Absalom Dies

⁹ Then Absalom happened to meet David’s troops. As Absalom was riding his mule, it went under a large oak tree. The branches were thick, and Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. His mule ran out from under him. So Absalom was left hanging above the ground.

¹⁵ Ten young men who carried Joab’s armor also gathered around Absalom. They struck him and killed him.

³¹ Then the Cushite arrived. He said, “Master and king, hear the good news! Today the Lord has punished the people who were against you!”

³² The king asked the Cushite, “Is young Absalom all right?”

The Cushite answered, “May your enemies be like that young man. May all who come to hurt you be like that young man!”

³³ Then the king knew Absalom was dead. He was very upset. He went to the room over the city gate and cried. As he went, he cried out, “My son Absalom, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you. Absalom, my son, my son!”

A Prayer for Mercy

A song for going up to worship.

²⁵ So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth because we all belong to each other in the same body.^{[a] 26} When you are angry, do not sin. And do not go on being angry all day. ²⁷ Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. ²⁸ If a person is stealing, he must stop stealing and start working. He must use his hands for doing something good. Then he will have something to share with those who are poor.

²⁹ When you talk, do not say harmful things. But say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will help those who listen to you. ³⁰ And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the time comes. ³¹ Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. ³² Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

Living in the Light

5 You are God’s children whom he loves. So try to be like God. ² Live a life of love. Love other people just as Christ loved us. Christ gave himself for us—he was a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.

³⁵ Then Jesus said, “I am the bread that gives life. He who comes to me will never be hungry. He who believes in me will never be thirsty.

⁴¹ The Jews began to complain about Jesus. They complained because he said, “I am the bread that comes down from heaven.” ⁴² The Jews said, “This is Jesus. We know his father and mother. He is only Joseph’s son. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

⁴³ But Jesus answered, “Stop complaining to each other. ⁴⁴ The Father is the One who sent me. No one can come to me unless the Father draws him to me. And I will raise him up on the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets, ‘God will teach all the people.’^[a] Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ No one has seen the Father except the One who is from God. Only he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ I tell you the truth. He who believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸ I am the bread that gives life. ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert. But still they died. ⁵⁰ Here is the bread that comes down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will never die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh. I will give my flesh so that the people in the world may have life.”