Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹² The Midianites, the Amalekites^(A) and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts.^(B) Their camels^(C) could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.^(D)

¹³ Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”

¹⁴ His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash,^(E) the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”

¹⁵ When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped.^(F) He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”^{(G) 16} Dividing the three hundred men^(H) into three companies,^(I) he placed trumpets^(J) and empty jars^(K) in the hands of all of them, with torches^(L) inside.

¹⁷ “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. ¹⁸ When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets,^(M) then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”

¹⁹ Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars^(N) that were in their hands. ²⁰ The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches^(O) in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword^(P) for the Lord and for Gideon!” ²¹ While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.^(Q)

²² When the three hundred trumpets sounded,^(R) the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other^(S) with their swords.^(T) The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah^(U) near Tabbath.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,^{(A) 13} for it is God who works in you^(B) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.^(C)

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling^(D) or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless^(E) and pure, “children of God^(F) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[a](G) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ^(H) that I did not run^(I) or labor in vain.^{(J) 17} But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering^(K) on the sacrifice^(L) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.^{(M) 18} So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.