Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹ A passionate song of David, which he sang to Adonai concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
² Adonai my God, in You I have taken refuge.
Save me from each of my persecutors, and deliver me.
³ Otherwise he will rip me apart like a lion,
with no one to rescue me.
⁴ Adonai my God, if I have done this—
if there is guilt on my hands,
⁵ if I have paid back evil to anyone at peace with me,
or unjustly attacked my adversary,
⁶ then let the enemy chase me,
overtake me, and trample me into the ground,
leaving my honor in the dirt! Selah

⁹ Proclaim on the citadels in Ashdod
and the citadels in the land of Egypt:
“Assemble on Samaria’s mountains:
Behold the great tumult within it,
    even the oppression within it.”
¹⁰ They do not know how to be honest,
—declares Adonai—
those who are saving up violence and destruction in their citadels.
¹¹ Therefore thus says my Lord Adonai:
“An adversary will surround the land!
He will bring down your strength.
Your citadels will be plundered
¹² Thus says Adonai:
“Just as the shepherd snatches out of the mouth of the lion
    two legs, or a piece of an ear,
so will Bnei-Yisrael dwelling in Samaria
    escape with the corner of a bed
        or a head of a couch.
¹³ Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob.”
It is the declaration of my Lord
    Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot.
¹⁴ “For in a day I shall punish Israel for the transgressions of Israel,
and attend to the altars of Bethel—
the horns of the altar will be cut off
    and fall to the ground.
¹⁵ I will also strike the winter house
    together with the summer house.
The houses of ivory will perish,
and great houses will be demolished.”
It is the declaration of Adonai.

4 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on Samaria’s hill,
who oppress the poor,
who crush the needy,
who say to their masters: “Bring, so we may drink.”
² My Lord Adonai has sworn by His holiness:
“Behold, days are coming upon you
when he will drag you away with meat-hooks,
the last of you with fishhooks.
³ You will go out through breaches—
    each woman straight ahead,
and you will be cast to Harmon.”^[a]
It is the declaration of Adonai.
⁴ “Come to Bethel and transgress,
in Gilgal multiply transgression.
Every morning bring your sacrifices
    and your tithes every three days.
⁵ Offer up hametz as a thank offering,
call out about freewill offerings—
    boast about it!
For so you love to do, Bnei-Yisrael.”
It is the declaration of my Lord Adonai.