Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
16 But to the wicked God says,
“What right have you to tell of My statutes
And to take (A)My covenant in your mouth?
17 “For you (B)hate discipline,
And you (C)cast My words behind you.
18 “When you see a thief, you [a](D)are pleased with him,
And [b]you (E)associate with adulterers.
19 “You [c](F)let your mouth loose in evil
And your (G)tongue frames deceit.
20 “You sit and (H)speak against your brother;
You slander your own mother’s son.
21 “These things you have done and (I)I kept silence;
You thought that I was just like you;
I will (J)reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.
20 Then Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart.” So Tamar remained and was desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. 21 Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry. 22 But Absalom did not speak to Amnon (A)either good or bad; for (B)Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.
23 Now it came about after two full years that Absalom (C)had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
Absalom Avenges Tamar
24 Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you.” Although he [a]urged him, he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then (D)Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But when Absalom [b]urged him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, (E)when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be [c]valiant.” 29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted (F)his mule and fled.
30 Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king arose, (G)tore his clothes and (H)lay on the ground; and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn. 32 (I)Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, [d]responded, “Do not let my lord [e]suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon alone is dead; because by the [f]intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore, do not let my lord the king (J)take the report to [g]heart, namely, ‘all the king’s sons are dead,’ for only Amnon is dead.”
34 Now (K)Absalom had fled. And (L)the young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35 Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons have come; according to your servant’s word, so it happened.” 36 As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came and lifted their voices and wept; and also the king and all his servants wept [h]very bitterly.
Four Thousand Fed
8 In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, (A)Jesus called His disciples and *said to them, 2 “(B)I feel compassion for the [a]people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” 4 And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough [b]bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” 5 And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” 6 And He *directed the [c]people to [d]sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to [e]serve to them, and they served them to the [f]people. 7 They also had a few small fish; and (C)after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be [g]served as well. 8 And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large (D)baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 9 About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. 10 And immediately He entered the boat with His disciples and came to the district of (E)Dalmanutha.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.