Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
For the choir director; by David.
14 Godless fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt.
They do disgusting things.
There is no one who does good things.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven on Adam’s descendants
to see if there is anyone who acts wisely,
if there is anyone who seeks help from God.
3 Everyone has turned away.
Together they have become rotten to the core.
No one, not even one person, does good things.
4 Are all those troublemakers,
those who devour my people as if they were devouring food,
so ignorant that they do not call on the Lord?
5 There they are—panic-stricken
because God is with the person who is righteous.
6 They put the advice of oppressed people to shame
because the Lord is their refuge.
7 If only salvation for Israel would come from Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice.
Israel will be glad.
6 The Ammonites realized that they had made themselves offensive to David. So they hired the Arameans from Beth Rehob and Zobah (20,000 foot soldiers), ⌞the army of⌟ the king of Maacah (1,000 men), and the men of Tob (12,000 men).
7 After David heard about this, he sent Joab and all the elite troops. 8 The Ammonites formed a battle line at the entrance of the ⌞city⌟ gate, while the Arameans from Zobah and Rehob and the men from Tob and Maacah remained by themselves in the open country.
9 When Joab saw he was under attack in front and behind, he took the select troops of Israel and organized them for combat against the Arameans. 10 He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the troops. Abishai organized them for combat against the Ammonites.
11 Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for my ⌞troops⌟, be ready to help me. And if the Ammonites are too strong for your ⌞troops⌟, I’ll come to help you. 12 Be strong! Let’s prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God, and the Lord will do what he considers right.”
12 As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. 15 Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. 16 Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about ⌞God’s⌟ kindness.[a] Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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