Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

ל Lamed

Jeremiah Dictates a Scroll

36 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah,^(A) king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Take a scroll,^(B) and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations from the time I first spoke to you during Josiah’s reign until today. ³ Perhaps when the house of Judah hears about all the disaster I am planning to bring on them, each one of them will turn from his evil way. Then I will forgive their wrongdoing^(C) and their sin.”

⁴ So Jeremiah summoned Baruch^(D) son of Neriah. At Jeremiah’s dictation,^[a] Baruch wrote on a scroll all the words the Lord had spoken to Jeremiah. ⁵ Then Jeremiah commanded Baruch, “I am restricted;^(E) I cannot enter the temple of the Lord, ⁶ so you must go and read from the scroll—which you wrote at my dictation^[b]—the words of the Lord in the hearing of the people at the temple of the Lord on a day of fasting. You must also read them in the hearing of all the Judeans who are coming from their cities. ⁷ Perhaps their petition will come before the Lord,^(F) and each one will turn from his evil way, for the anger and fury that the Lord has pronounced against this people are great.” ⁸ So Baruch son of Neriah did everything Jeremiah the prophet had commanded him. At the Lord’s temple he read the Lord’s words from the scroll.

Baruch Reads the Scroll

⁹ In the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month,^(G) all the people of Jerusalem and all those coming in from Judah’s cities into Jerusalem proclaimed a fast before the Lord.^{(H) 10} Then at the Lord’s temple, in the chamber of Gemariah son of Shaphan the scribe,^(I) in the upper courtyard at the opening of the New Gate^(J) of the Lord’s temple, in the hearing of all the people, Baruch read Jeremiah’s words from the scroll.

Prophecy: A Superior Gift

14 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy. ² For the person who speaks in another language^(A) is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.^{[a] 3} But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation. ⁴ The person who speaks in another language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church. ⁵ I wish all of you spoke in other languages, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in languages, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

⁶ But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in other languages, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation^(B) or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? ⁷ Even inanimate things that produce sounds—whether flute or harp^(C)—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? ⁸ In fact, if the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?^{(D) 9} In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, and all have meaning.^{[b] 11} Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner^[c] to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. ¹² So also you—since you are zealous^(E) for spiritual gifts,^[d](F) seek to excel in building up the church.