Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

In Praise of Jerusalem^[a]

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

9 The thirteenth day of Adar came, the day on which the royal proclamation was to take effect, the day when the enemies of the Jews were hoping to get them in their power. But instead, the Jews triumphed over them. ² In the Jewish quarter of every city^[a] in the empire the Jews organized to attack anyone who tried to harm them. People everywhere were afraid of them, and no one could stand against them. ³ In fact, all the provincial officials—governors, administrators, and royal representatives—helped the Jews because they were all afraid of Mordecai. ⁴ It was well-known throughout the empire that Mordecai was now a powerful man in the palace and was growing more powerful. ⁵ So the Jews could do what they wanted with their enemies. They attacked them with swords and slaughtered them.

¹⁸ The Jews of Susa, however, made the fifteenth a holiday, since they had slaughtered their enemies on the thirteenth and fourteenth and then stopped on the fifteenth. ¹⁹ This is why Jews who live in small towns observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a joyous holiday, a time for feasting and giving gifts of food to one another.

The Festival of Purim

²⁰ Mordecai had these events written down and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, throughout the Persian Empire, ²¹ telling them to observe the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar as holidays every year. ²² These were the days on which the Jews had rid themselves of their enemies; this was a month that had been turned from a time of grief and despair into a time of joy and happiness. They were told to observe these days with feasts and parties, giving gifts of food to one another and to the poor. ²³ So the Jews followed Mordecai's instructions, and the celebration became an annual custom.

Whom to Fear^(A)

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot afterward do anything worse. ⁵ I will show you whom to fear: fear God, who, after killing, has the authority to throw into hell. Believe me, he is the one you must fear!

⁶ “Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one sparrow is forgotten by God. ⁷ Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!

Confessing and Rejecting Christ^(B)

⁸ “I assure you that those who declare publicly that they belong to me, the Son of Man will do the same for them before the angels of God. ⁹ But those who reject me publicly, the Son of Man will also reject them before the angels of God.

^10 (C)“Whoever says a word against the Son of Man can be forgiven; but whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

^11 (D)“When they bring you to be tried in the synagogues or before governors or rulers, do not be worried about how you will defend yourself or what you will say. ¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”