Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
20 I have found David, Your servant. I have poured My holy oil upon him. 21 My hand will stay with him. And My arm will give him strength. 22 Those who hate him will not fool him. No sinful man will bring trouble to him. 23 But he will see Me crush those who fight against him. I will kill those who hate him. 24 I will be faithful and My loving-kindness will be with him. And in My name he will become great. 25 I will set his hand on the sea also, and his right hand on the rivers. 26 He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock that saves me.’ 27 I will make him My first-born also, the highest of the kings of the earth. 28 I will keep My loving-kindness for him forever. And My agreement with him will be made strong. 29 I will make his seed last forever. And his throne will last as long as heaven.
30 “If his sons leave My Law and do not do what I say, 31 and if they break My Laws and do not obey My Word, 32 then I will punish their sin with the stick, and their wrong-doing with the whip. 33 But I will not take my loving-kindness from him. I will always be faithful to him. 34 I will not break My agreement, or change what was spoken by My lips. 35 Once I have promised by My holy name, I will not lie to David. 36 His seed will last forever. And his throne will last before Me like the sun. 37 It will last forever like the moon, which may always be seen in the sky.”
The Special Box Brought to Jerusalem
15 David built houses for himself in the city of David. He made a place ready for the special box of God. And he set up a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the special box of God. For the Lord chose them to carry the special box of the agreement and to serve Him forever.”
4 David chose some of the Levites to do the work in front of the special box of the Lord. They were to be glad and thank and praise the Lord God of Israel. 5 Asaph was the leader, then Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play harps. And Asaph played loud-sounding timbrels. 6 The religious leaders Benaiah and Jahaziel sounded the horns all the time in front of the special box with the Law of God.
A Song of Praise
7 Then on that day David first called upon Asaph and his brothers to give thanks to the Lord. 8 “O give thanks to the Lord. Call upon His name. Let the people know what He has done. 9 Sing to Him. Sing praises to Him. Tell of all His great works. 10 Have joy in His holy name. Let the heart of those who look to the Lord be glad. 11 Look to the Lord and ask for His strength. Look to Him all the time. 12 Remember His great works which He has done. Remember the special things He has done and how He has judged, 13 O children of Israel His servant, sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
Healing of the Blind Man (A)
35 Jesus was coming near Jericho. A blind man was sitting by the side of the road, begging. 36 He heard many people going by and asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. 38 Then he cried out and said, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” 39 The people spoke sharp words to him and told him not to call out. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
40 Jesus stopped and told the people to bring the blind man to Him. When the man was near, Jesus asked, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” He answered, “Lord, I want to see.” 42 Jesus said to him, “Then see! Your faith has healed you.” 43 At once he could see. He followed Jesus and gave thanks to God. All the people gave thanks to God when they saw it.
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