Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
16 But to the sinful, God says: “What right do you have to tell of My Laws, and take My agreement in your mouth? 17 For you hate to be told what to do, and you throw My words behind you. 18 When you see a robber, you are pleased with him. And you join those who do sex sins. 19 You say bad things with your mouth, and you lie with your tongue. 20 You sit and speak against your brother. You talk against your own mother’s son. 21 You have done these things, and I have kept quiet. You thought that I was just like you. But I will speak sharp words to you, and tell you who is guilty to your face.
22 “Now think about this, you who forget God, or I will tear you in pieces and there will be no one to save you. 23 He who gives a gift of thanks honors Me. And to him who makes his way right, I will show him the saving power of God.”
Amnon and Tamar
13 Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar. And David’s son Amnon loved her. 2 Amnon was so troubled because of his sister Tamar that he became sick. She was a woman who had never had a man, and Amnon thought how hard it would be to have her. 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab. He was the son of David’s brother Shimeah. And Jonadab was very good at making plans. 4 He said to Amnon, “O son of the king, why are you so sad from day to day? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” 5 Then Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I beg you, let my sister Tamar come and give me some food to eat. Let her make food ready here so I can see it and eat it from her hand.’” 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I beg you, let my sister Tamar come and make two loaves beside me, that I may eat from her hand.”
7 Then David sent home for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and make food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house. He was lying down. And she took dough and made loaves so he could watch. Then she baked them ready to eat. 9 And she took the dish and held it out in front of him. But he would not eat. Amnon said, “Have everyone leave me.” So everyone left him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food to my room, so I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the loaves she had made and brought them to her brother Amnon in his room. 11 When she brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 But she said, “No, my brother. Do not make me. For such a thing is not done in Israel. Do not do this bad and foolish thing! 13 As for me, where could I get rid of my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. So now I beg you, speak to the king, for he will not keep me from you.” 14 But Amnon would not listen to her. Being stronger than she, he made her lay with him.
15 Then Amnon hated her very much. He hated her more than he had loved her. He said to her, “Get up! Go away!” 16 But she said to him, “No! Sending me away is worse than what you have done to me!” But he would not listen to her. 17 He called the young man who helped him and said, “Throw this woman out of my house, and lock the door behind her.” 18 Now she was wearing a dress which covered her arms. For this is how the king’s daughters dressed when they had never had a man. The man who helped Amnon took her out and locked the door behind her. 19 Then Tamar put ashes on her head. She tore the dress she was wearing which covered her arms. And she put her hand on her head and went away with a loud cry.
The Body of Christ
27 You are all a part of the body of Christ. 28 God has chosen different ones in the church to do His work. First, there are missionaries. Second, there are preachers or those who speak for God. And third, there are teachers. He has also chosen those who do powerful works and those who have the gifts of healing. And He has chosen those who help others who are in need and those who are able to lead others in work and those who speak in special sounds. 29 Are they all missionaries? No. Are they all preachers or those who speak for God? No. Do they all do powerful works? No. 30 Do they all have the gifts of healing? No. Do they all speak in special sounds? No. Are they all able to tell what the special sounds mean? No. 31 But from your heart you should want the best gifts. Now I will show you even a better way.
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