Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A Thankful Heart
Of David.
138 I will give you thanks with all my heart;(A)
I will sing your praise before the heavenly beings.[a](B)
2 I will bow down towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your constant love and truth.
You have exalted your name
and your promise above everything else.[b](C)
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
you increased strength within me.[c](D)
4 All the kings on earth will give you thanks, Lord,
when they hear what you have promised.[d](E)
5 They will sing of the Lord’s ways,
for the Lord’s glory is great.(F)
6 Though the Lord is exalted,
he takes note of the humble;
but he knows the haughty from a distance.(G)
7 If I walk into the thick of danger,
you will preserve my life
from the anger of my enemies.(H)
You will extend your hand;
your right hand will save me.(I)
8 The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me.(J)
Lord, your faithful love endures for ever;
do not abandon the work of your hands.(K)
Othniel, the First Judge
7 The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; they forgot the Lord their God(A) and worshipped the Baals and the Asherahs. 8 The Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them to King Cushan-rishathaim[a] of Aram-naharaim,[b](B) and the Israelites served him for eight years.
9 The Israelites cried out to the Lord.(C) So the Lord raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s youngest brother,(D) as a deliverer(E) to save the Israelites. 10 The Spirit of the Lord came on him, and he judged Israel. Othniel went out to battle, and the Lord handed over King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram to him, so that Othniel overpowered him. 11 Then the land had peace for(F) forty years, and Othniel son of Kenaz died.
42 When it was day, he went out and made his way to a deserted place.(A) But the crowds were searching for him. They came to him and tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said to them, ‘It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.’ 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.[a](B)
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