Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹⁶ Then the princes, and all the people said to the priests, and to the prophets: There is no judgement of death for this man: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.

¹⁷ And some of the ancients of the land rose up: and they spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying:

¹⁸ Micheas of Morasthi was a prophet in the days of Ezechias king of Juda, and he spoke to all the people of Juda, saying: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Sion shall be ploughed like a field, and Jerusalem shall be a heap of stones: and the mountain of the house the high places of woods.

¹⁹ Did Ezechias king of Juda, and all Juda, condemn him to death? did they not fear the Lord, and beseech the face of the Lord: and the Lord repented of the evil that he had spoken against them? therefore we are doing a great evil against our souls.

²⁰ There was also a man that prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urias the son of Semei of Cariathiarim: and he prophesied against this city, and against this land, according to all the words of Jeremias.

²¹ And Joakim, and all his men in power, and his princes heard these words: and the king sought to put him to death. And Urias heard it, and was afraid, and fled and went into Egypt.

²² And king Joakim sent men into Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achobor, and men with him into Egypt.

²³ And they brought Urias out of Egypt: and brought him to king Joakim, and he slew him with the sword: and he cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.

²⁴ So the hand of Ahicam the son of Saphan was with Jeremias, that he should not be delivered into the hands of the people, to put him to death.

¹⁴ Of these things put them in mind, charging them before the Lord. Contend not in words, for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

¹⁵ Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings: for they grow much towards ungodliness.

¹⁷ And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus:

¹⁸ Who have erred from the truth, saying, that the resurrection is past already, and have subverted the faith of some.

¹⁹ But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.

²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth: and some indeed unto honour, but some unto dishonour.

²¹ If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to the Lord, prepared unto every good work.

²² But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice, faith, charity, and peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

²³ And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.

²⁴ But the servant of the Lord must not wrangle: but be mild towards all men, apt to teach, patient,

²⁵ With modesty admonishing them that resist the truth: if peradventure God may give them repentance to know the truth,

²⁶ And they may recover themselves from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will.