Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 122

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

9 Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), on the thirteenth day, when the king’s edict and his decree were to be carried out on the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to have power over them, things were turned around. The Jews gained power over those who hated them. ² The Jews had assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus in order to forcibly assault those seeking their injury. No man could stand before them because the dread of them had fallen on all people. ³ All the rulers of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and all those doing the work of the king were helping the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. ⁴ For Mordecai had become great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces because Mordecai grew more powerful.

⁵ So the Jews struck all their enemies by sword, slaughtering and destroying them, and doing to those who hated them as they pleased.

The Feast of Purim Established

¹⁸ Because the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth day and the fourteenth day of Adar, then on the fifteenth day they rested and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.

¹⁹ Therefore, the Jews of the rural areas, who were living in the villages, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of rejoicing and feasting and a special day for sending portions of food to one another.

²⁰ Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, ²¹ in order to institute for them the celebration for the fourteenth day and the fifteenth day of the month of Adar, each and every year, ²² like the days when the Jews had rest from their enemies, and like the month when things turned around for them—changing from sorrow to joy and from mourning into a favorable day—so that they could celebrate a season of feasting and rejoicing and sending food portions to one another and gifts to the poor.

²³ So the Jews accepted what had begun as tradition as Mordecai had written to them.

Whom to Fear^(A)

⁴ “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will warn you whom you shall fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell. Yes, I say to you, fear Him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies^[a]? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear. You are more valuable than many sparrows.

Confessing Christ Before Men^(B)

⁸ “I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God. ⁹ But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. ¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

¹¹ “When they bring you to the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not be anxious how you will answer or what you will say. ¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”