Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 53
A Portrait of Sinners
For the choir director: on Mahalath.(A) A Maskil of David.
1 The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.”
They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds.
There is no one who does good.(B)
2 God looks down from heaven on the human race[a]
to see if there is one who is wise,
one who seeks God.(C)
3 All have turned away;
all alike have become corrupt.
There is no one who does good,
not even one.(D)
24 Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned.(A) I have transgressed the Lord’s command(B) and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them. 25 Now therefore, please forgive my sin(C) and return with me so I can worship the Lord.”
26 Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the Lord,(D) the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 27 When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the corner of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingship of Israel away from you today(E) and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.(F) 29 Furthermore, the Eternal One of Israel(G) does not lie or change his mind, for he is not man who changes his mind.”(H)
30 Saul said, “I have sinned. Please honor me(I) now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me so I can bow in worship to the Lord your God.”(J) 31 Then Samuel went back, following Saul, and Saul bowed down to the Lord.
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit.[a](A) 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren’t gathered from thornbushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
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