Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Mem
97 How I love your law, Lord![a]
I study it all day long.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my foes,
as it is forever with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
because I ponder your testimonies.
100 I have more understanding than my elders,
because I keep your precepts.(A)
101 I keep my steps from every evil path,
that I may observe your word.
102 From your judgments I do not turn,
for you have instructed me.
103 How sweet to my tongue is your promise,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!(B)
104 Through your precepts I gain understanding;
therefore I hate all false ways.
16 Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve a death sentence; it is in the name of the Lord, our God, that he speaks to us.” 17 At this, some of the elders of the land arose and said to the whole assembly of the people, 18 “Micah of Moresheth[a] used to prophesy in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and he said to all the people of Judah: Thus says the Lord of hosts:
Zion shall be plowed as a field,
Jerusalem, a heap of ruins,
and the temple mount,
a forest ridge.(A)
19 Did Hezekiah, king of Judah, and all Judah condemn him to death? Did he not fear the Lord and entreat the favor of the Lord, so that the Lord had a change of heart regarding the evil he had spoken against them? We, however, are about to do great evil against ourselves.”(B)
The Fate of Uriah. 20 There was another man who used to prophesy in the name of the Lord, Uriah, son of Shemaiah, from Kiriath-jearim; he prophesied against this city and this land the same message as Jeremiah. 21 When King Jehoiakim and all his officers and princes heard his words, the king sought to have him killed. But Uriah heard of it and fled in fear to Egypt. 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan, son of Achbor, and others with him into Egypt, 23 and they brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to Jehoiakim the king, who struck him down with the sword and threw his corpse into the common burial ground. 24 But the hand of Ahikam, son of Shaphan,[b] protected Jeremiah, so they did not hand him over to the people to be put to death.
III. Instructions Concerning False Teaching
Warning Against Useless Disputes. 14 [a]Remind people of these things and charge them before God[b] to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.(A) 15 Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.(B) 16 Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless,(C) 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,(D) 18 who have deviated from the truth by saying that [the] resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some.(E) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, “The Lord knows those who are his”; and, “Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil.”(F)
20 In a large household there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for lofty and others for humble use. 21 If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work.(G) 22 So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord[c] with purity of heart.(H) 23 Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels.(I) 24 A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant,(J) 25 correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth,(K) 26 [d]and that they may return to their senses out of the devil’s snare,(L) where they are entrapped by him, for his will.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.