Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

3 Lord, how they have increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me!

² Many there be that say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah

³ But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of mine head.

⁴ I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

⁵ I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for the Lord sustained me.

⁶ I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about.

⁷ Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

⁸ Salvation belongeth unto the Lord. Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah

¹⁹ And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

²⁰ And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.

²¹ And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh, for the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

4 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched camp beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.

² And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel; and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines, and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.

²⁶ For if we sin willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

²⁸ He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

²⁹ Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath accounted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath despised the Spirit of grace?

³⁰ For we know Him that hath said, “Vengeance belongeth unto Me; I will recompense,” saith the Lord. And again, “The Lord shall judge His people.”

³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.