Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Jehovah the keeper of his people.

A Song of Ascents.

²⁹ And it came to pass at midnight, that Jehovah smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cattle. ³⁰ And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. ³¹ And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve Jehovah, as ye have said. ³² Take both your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. ³³ And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, to send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We are all dead men. ³⁴ And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. ³⁵ And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: ³⁶ and Jehovah gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. And they despoiled the Egyptians.

³⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, besides children. ³⁸ And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. ³⁹ And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victuals. ⁴⁰ Now the time that the children of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. ⁴¹ And it came to pass at the end of four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt. ⁴² It is ^[a]a night to be much observed unto Jehovah for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: ^[b]this is that night of Jehovah, to be much observed of all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

13 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. ² Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. ³ For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: ⁴ for ^[a]he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for ^[b]he beareth not the sword in vain: for ^[c]he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. ⁵ Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. ⁷ Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.