Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

LAMED ל

Baruch Reads Jeremiah’s Scroll

36 Now it happened in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of King Josiah of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from Adonai, saying: ² “Take a megillah scroll, and write in it all the words that I have spoken to you about Israel, about Judah, and about all the nations from the day I spoke to you—from the days of Josiah until this day. ³ Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the calamity that I am planning to do to them, in order that they may turn, each one from his evil way. Then I would forgive their iniquity and their sin.”

⁴ So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote from Jeremiah’s mouth, all the words that Adonai had spoken to him, into a megillah scroll. ⁵ Then Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying: “I am detained; I cannot go into the House of Adonai. ⁶ So you go and read in the megillah—which you have written from my mouth, the words of Adonai—in the ears of the people, in the House of Adonai, on a fast day. You should also read them in the ears of all Judah coming from their towns. ⁷ Perhaps they will present their supplication before Adonai, and each one will turn from his wicked way. For great is the anger and fury that Adonai has pronounced against this people.”

⁸ So Baruch son of Neriah did according to all that the prophet Jeremiah commanded him, reading from the book the words of Adonai in the House of Adonai.

⁹ Now it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of King Josiah of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before Adonai—all the people in Jerusalem and all the people that came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem. ¹⁰ Then Baruch read from the scroll the words of Jeremiah in the House of Adonai, in the chamber of Gemariah son of the scribe Shaphan, in the upper court at the entry of the New Gate of the House of Adonai, in the ears of all the people.

Orderly Governing of the Gifts

14 Pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. ² For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to people but to God—for no one understands, but in the Ruach he speaks mysteries. ³ But one who prophesies speaks to people for building up, urging on, and uplifting. ⁴ One who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but one who prophesies builds up the community. ⁵ Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy.^[a] One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues—unless he interprets, so that the community may be built up.

⁶ But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you—unless I speak to you by way of revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? ⁷ It is the same for lifeless things that make a sound—like a flute or a harp. If they make no distinction in the tones, how will what is played be recognized? ⁸ For if the trumpet^[b] makes an unclear sound, who will prepare himself for battle? ⁹ So also with you with your tongue—unless you utter speech that is intelligible, how will what is spoken be understood? For you will be talking to the wind! ¹⁰ It may be that there are many kinds of languages in the world—and none without meaning. ¹¹ If then I do not understand the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner^[c] to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. ¹² Likewise with you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, keep trying to excel for the building up of the community.