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.”
20 Absalom her brother said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Be quiet now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this to heart.” So Tamar stayed in her brother Absalom’s house, sad and alone. 21 When King David heard about all this, he was very angry. 22 But Absalom did not speak good or bad to Amnon. Absalom hated Amnon because he had put his sister to shame.
Absalom Kills Amnon
23 After two full years, Absalom had men cut the wool from the sheep in Baal-hazor, near Ephraim. And Absalom asked all the king’s sons to come. 24 He came to the king and said, “See, your servant has men to cut the wool from the sheep. Let the king and his men go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son. We should not all go, or we will be trouble for you.” Absalom tried to talk him into going. The king prayed that good would come to him, but he would not go with him. 26 Then Absalom said, “If you will not go, let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But when Absalom kept asking him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28 Then Absalom told his servants, “Watch when Amnon’s heart is happy with wine. When I say to you, ‘Kill Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not be afraid. Have not I myself told you to do it? Have strength of heart.” 29 So Absalom’s servants did to Amnon just as Absalom had told them. Then all the king’s sons got up on their horses and left in a hurry.
30 While they were on their way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons. Not one of them is left.” 31 The king got up and tore his clothes, and lay on the ground. And all his servants standing beside him tore their clothes. 32 But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, said, “Do not let my lord think they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons. Only Amnon is dead. Absalom has wanted to kill him since the day he put his sister Tamar to shame. 33 So do not let my lord the king take this to heart and think that all the king’s sons are dead, for only Amnon is dead.”
Absalom Goes to Geshur
34 Now Absalom had run away. And the young man who kept watch looked up and saw many people coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35 Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons have come. What your servant said is true.” 36 As soon as he had finished speaking, the king’s sons came and cried in a loud voice. The king and all his servants cried also.
The Feeding of the Four Thousand (A)
8 In those days many people were gathered together. They had nothing to eat. Jesus called His followers to Him and said, 2 “I pity these people because they have been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home without food, they may be too weak as they go. Many of them have come a long way.”
4 His followers said to Him, “Where can anyone get enough bread for them here in this desert?” 5 He asked them, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 Then He told the people to sit down on the ground. Jesus took the seven loaves of bread and gave thanks to God. He broke the loaves and gave them to His followers to give to the people. The followers gave the bread to them. 7 They had a few small fish also. He gave thanks to God and told the followers to give the fish to them. 8 They all ate and were filled. They picked up seven baskets full of pieces of bread and fish after the people were finished eating. 9 About four thousand ate. Then Jesus sent the people away.
The Proud Religious Law-Keepers Ask for Something Special to See (B)
10 At once Jesus got in a boat with His followers and came to the country of Dalmanutha.
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