Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
12 The wicked person schemes against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him.(A)
13 The Lord laughs at him(B)
because he sees that his day is coming.(C)
14 The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the[a] bow
to bring down the poor and needy
and to slaughter those whose way is upright.(D)
15 Their swords will enter their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.(E)
16 The little that the righteous person has is better
than the abundance of many wicked people.(F)
17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken,(G)
but the Lord supports the righteous.(H)
18 The Lord watches over the blameless all their days,
and their inheritance will last forever.(I)
19 They will not be disgraced in times of adversity;
they will be satisfied in days of hunger.(J)
20 But the wicked will perish;
the Lord’s enemies, like the glory of the pastures,
will fade away—
they will fade away like smoke.(K)
Uriah’s Death Arranged
14 The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 In the letter he wrote:
Put Uriah(A) at the front of the fiercest fighting, then withdraw from him so that he is struck down and dies.
16 When Joab was besieging the city, he put Uriah in the place where he knew the best enemy soldiers were. 17 Then the men of the city came out and attacked Joab, and some of the men from David’s soldiers fell in battle; Uriah the Hethite also died.
18 Joab sent someone to report to David all the details of the battle. 19 He commanded the messenger, “When you’ve finished telling the king all the details of the battle— 20 if the king’s anger gets stirred up and he asks you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you realize they would shoot from the top of the wall? 21 At Thebez, who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth?[a][b] Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the top of the wall so that he died?(B) Why did you get so close to the wall?’—then say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hethite is dead also.’”
Appreciation of Support
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again(A) you renewed your care for me.(B) You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.(C) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him[a] who strengthens me.(D) 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.
15 And you Philippians(E) know that in the early days of the gospel,(F) when I left Macedonia,(G) no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica(H) you sent gifts for my need(I) several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit[b](J) that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full,(K) and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied,[c] having received from Epaphroditus(L) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing(M) to God. 19 And my God(N) will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father(O) be glory forever and ever.(P) Amen.(Q)
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