Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A Reminder to Keep God’s Laws
26 Soon you will enter and take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you as your property. When you have settled there, 2 take some of the first produce harvested from the fields in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket. Then go to the place where the Lord your God will choose for his name to live. 3 Go to the priest who is serving at that time, and tell him, “I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the land that the Lord is giving us, as he swore to our ancestors.” 4 Then the priest will take the basket from you and set it down in front of the altar of the Lord your God. 5 You will make this formal statement in the presence of the Lord your God: “My ancestors were wandering Arameans. There were only a few of them when they went to Egypt and lived as foreigners. But then they became a great, powerful, and large nation. 6 So the Egyptians treated us cruelly, oppressed us, and made us do back-breaking work for them. 7 We cried out to the Lord God of our ancestors, and he heard us. He saw our misery, suffering, and oppression. 8 Then the Lord used his mighty hand and powerful arm to bring us out of Egypt. He used spectacular and awe-inspiring deeds, miraculous signs, and amazing things. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. 10 So now I’ve brought the first produce harvested from the fields you gave me, Lord.”
You will place the basket in the presence of the Lord your God and bow down in front of him. 11 Then you, the Levites, and the foreigners who live among you can enjoy all the good things which the Lord your God has given you and your family.
91 Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High
will remain in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord,
“⌞You are⌟ my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
9 You, O Lord, are my refuge!
You have made the Most High your home.
10 No harm will come to you.
No sickness will come near your house.
11 He will put his angels in charge of you
to protect you in all your ways.
12 They will carry you in their hands
so that you never hit your foot against a rock.
13 You will step on lions and cobras.
You will trample young lions and snakes.
14 Because you love me, I will rescue you.
I will protect you because you know my name.
15 When you call to me, I will answer you.
I will be with you when you are in trouble.
I will save you and honor you.
16 I will satisfy you with a long life.
I will show you how I will save you.
8 However, what else does it say? “This message is near you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart.” This is the message of faith that we spread. 9 If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved. 10 By believing you receive God’s approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved. 11 Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed.”
12 There is no difference between Jews and Greeks. They all have the same Lord, who gives his riches to everyone who calls on him. 13 So then, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The Devil Tempts Jesus(A)
4 Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit as he left the Jordan River. The Spirit led him while he was in the desert, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During those days Jesus ate nothing, so when they were over, he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
4 Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone.’ ” [a]
5 The devil took him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant. 6 The devil said to him, “I will give you all the power and glory of these kingdoms. All of it has been given to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 So if you will worship me, all this will be yours.”
8 Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ”
9 Then the devil took him into Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump from here! 10 Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully. 11 They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.’ ”
12 Jesus answered him, “It has been said, ‘Never tempt the Lord your God.’ ” [b]
13 After the devil had finished tempting Jesus in every possible way, the devil left him until another time.
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