Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
12 The wicked (A)plots against the righteous
and (B)gnashes his teeth at him,
13 but the Lord (C)laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his (D)day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and (E)bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose (F)way is upright;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their (G)bows shall be broken.
16 (H)Better is the little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For (I)the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord (J)upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord (K)knows the days of the blameless,
and their (L)heritage will remain forever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times;
in (M)the days of famine they have abundance.
14 In the morning David (A)wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15 In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, (B)that he may be struck down, and die.” 16 And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men. 17 And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite also died. 18 Then Joab sent and told David all the news about the fighting. 19 And he instructed the messenger, “When you have finished telling all the news about the fighting to the king, 20 then, if the king's anger rises, and if he says to you, ‘Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? 21 (C)Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’”
God's Provision
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length (A)you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be (B)content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and (C)hunger, abundance and (D)need. 13 I can do all things (E)through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you (F)to share[a] my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that (G)in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, (H)no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 (I)Not that I seek the gift, but I seek (J)the fruit that increases to your credit.[b] 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, (K)having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, (L)a fragrant offering, (M)a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God (N)will supply every need of yours (O)according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To (P)our God and Father be (Q)glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.