Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 130

Awaiting Redemption

A song of ascents.

²⁵ No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw. ²⁶ When he shaved his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy for him that he had to shave it off—he would weigh the hair from his head and it would be five pounds^[a] according to the royal standard.

²⁷ Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman. ²⁸ Absalom resided in Jerusalem two years but never saw the king. ²⁹ Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab was unwilling to come. So he sent again, a second time, but he still wouldn’t come. ³⁰ Then Absalom said to his servants, “See, Joab has a field right next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set fire to it!” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.^[b]

³¹ Then Joab came to Absalom’s house and demanded, “Why did your servants set my field on fire?”

³² “Look,” Absalom explained to Joab, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? I’d be better off if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king. If I am guilty, let him kill me.”

³³ Joab went to the king and told him. So David summoned Absalom, who came to the king and bowed down with his face to the ground before him. Then the king kissed Absalom.

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle^(A) spirit,^(B) watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.^{(C) 2} Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(D) 3} For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,^(E) he deceives himself. ⁴ But each person should examine his own work,^(F) and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

⁶ The one who is taught the message must share^(G) all his good things with the teacher. ⁷ Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit^(H) will reap eternal life^(I) from the Spirit. ⁹ So we must not get tired^(J) of doing good,^(K) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work^(L) for the good^(M) of all, especially for those who belong to the household^(N) of faith.^(O)