Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 18[a]
For the music director, by the Lord’s servant David, who sang[b] to the Lord the words of this song when[c] the Lord rescued him from the power[d] of all his enemies, including Saul.[e]
18 He said:[f]
“I love[g] you, Lord, my source of strength![h]
2 The Lord is my high ridge,[i] my stronghold,[j] my deliverer.
My God is my rocky summit where[k] I take shelter,[l]
my shield, the horn that saves me,[m] and my refuge.[n]
3 I called[o] to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,[p]
and I was delivered from my enemies.
4 The waves[q] of death engulfed me,
the currents[r] of chaos[s] overwhelmed me.[t]
5 The ropes of Sheol tightened around me,[u]
the snares of death trapped me.[v]
6 In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried out to my God.[w]
From his heavenly temple[x] he heard my voice;
he listened to my cry for help.[y]
43 You rescue me from a hostile army.[a]
You make me[b] a leader of nations;
people over whom I had no authority are now my subjects.[c]
44 When they hear of my exploits, they submit to me.[d]
Foreigners are powerless[e] before me.
45 Foreigners lose their courage;[f]
they shake with fear[g] as they leave[h] their strongholds.[i]
46 The Lord is alive![j]
My Protector[k] is praiseworthy.[l]
The God who delivers me[m] is exalted as king.[n]
47 The one true God[o] completely vindicates me;[p]
he makes nations submit to me.[q]
48 He delivers me[r] from my enemies.
You snatch me away[s] from those who attack me;[t]
you rescue me from violent men.
49 So I will give you thanks before the nations,[u] O Lord.
I will sing praises to you.[v]
50 He[w] gives his king magnificent victories;[x]
he is faithful[y] to his chosen ruler,[z]
to David and his descendants[aa] forever.”[ab]
14 David stayed in the strongholds that were in the desert and in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. Saul looked for him all the time,[a] but God did not deliver David[b] into his hands. 15 David realized[c] that Saul had come out to seek his life; at that time David was in Horesh in the wilderness of Ziph.
16 Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him[d] through God. 17 He said to him, “Don’t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.” 18 When the two of them had made a covenant before the Lord, David stayed at Horesh, but Jonathan went to his house.
The Mission of Titus
16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion[a] I have for you, 17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager,[b] he is coming[c] to you of his own accord.[d] 18 And we are sending[e] along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.[f] 19 In addition,[g] this brother[h] has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift[i] to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.[j] 20 We did this[k] as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. 21 For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.[l] 22 And we are sending[m] with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you. 23 If there is any question[n] about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers[o] of the churches, a glory to Christ. 24 Therefore show[p] them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.[q]
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