Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Folly of the Godless, and God’s Final Triumph(A)
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
14 The (B)fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.
2 (C)The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
3 (D)They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.
6 When the people of Ammon saw that they (A)had made themselves repulsive to David, the people of Ammon sent and hired (B)the Syrians of (C)Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand foot soldiers; and from the king of (D)Maacah one thousand men, and from (E)Ish-Tob twelve thousand men. 7 Now when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of (F)the mighty men. 8 Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array at the entrance of the gate. And (G)the Syrians of Zoba, Beth Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
9 When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel’s best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. 10 And the rest of the people he put under the command of (H)Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon. 11 Then he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 (I)Be of good courage, and let us (J)be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may (K)the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
Character of the New Man
12 Therefore, (A)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, (B)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 (C)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 (D)But above all these things (E)put on love, which is the (F)bond of perfection. 15 And let (G)the peace of God rule in your hearts, (H)to which also you were called (I)in one body; and (J)be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another (K)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And (L)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.