Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Folly and Wickedness of Men.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
14 The fool has (A)said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable [a]deeds;
There is (B)no one who does good.
2 The Lord has (C)looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there are any who [b](D)understand,
Who (E)seek after God.
3 They have all (F)turned aside, together they have become corrupt;
There is (G)no one who does good, not even one.
6 Now when the sons of Ammon saw that (A)they had become odious to David, the sons of Ammon sent and (B)hired the Arameans of (C)Beth-rehob and the (D)Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of (E)Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 men. 7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army, the mighty men. 8 The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle array (F)at the entrance of the [a]city, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of (G)Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
9 Now when Joab saw that [b]the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans. 10 But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon. 11 He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you. 12 (H)Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and (I)may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
12 So, as those who have been (A)chosen of God, holy and beloved, (B)put on a (C)heart of compassion, kindness, (D)humility, gentleness and [a](E)patience; 13 (F)bearing with one another, and (G)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; (H)just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is [b](I)the perfect bond of (J)unity. 15 Let (K)the peace of Christ [c]rule in your hearts, to which [d]indeed you were called in (L)one body; and [e]be thankful. 16 Let (M)the word of [f]Christ richly dwell within you, [g]with all wisdom (N)teaching and admonishing [h]one another (O)with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, (P)singing [i]with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 (Q)Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, (R)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.