Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
11 I will remember the Lord’s works;
yes, I will remember Your ancient wonders.(A)
12 I will reflect on all You have done
and meditate on Your actions.(B)
13 God, Your way is holy.
What god is great like God?(C)
14 You are the God who works wonders;
You revealed Your strength among the peoples.(D)
15 With power You redeemed Your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.(E)
16 The waters saw You, God.
The waters saw You; they trembled.
Even the depths shook.(F)
17 The clouds poured down water.
The storm clouds thundered;
Your arrows flashed back and forth.(G)
18 The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
lightning lit up the world.(H)
The earth shook and quaked.(I)
19 Your way went through the sea
and Your path through the great waters,
but Your footprints were unseen.(J)
20 You led Your people like a flock(K)
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.(L)
Ahaziah’s Sickness and Death
1 After the death of Ahab, Moab(A) rebelled against Israel.(B) 2 Ahaziah(C) had fallen through the latticed window of his upper room in Samaria(D) and was injured. So he sent messengers instructing them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub,[a](E) the god of Ekron,(F) if I will recover from this injury.”(G)
3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite,(H) “Go and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria(I) and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not get up from your sickbed—you will certainly die.’” Then Elijah left.
5 The messengers returned to the king, who asked them, “Why have you come back?”
6 They replied, “A man came to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and declare to him: This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you’re sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not get up from your sickbed—you will certainly die.’”
7 The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke those words to you?”
8 They replied, “A hairy man with a leather belt around his waist.”(J)
He said, “It’s Elijah the Tishbite.”(K)
9 So King Ahaziah sent a captain of 50 with his 50 men(L) to Elijah. When the captain went up to him, he was sitting on top of the hill. He announced, “Man of God,(M) the king declares, ‘Come down!’”
10 Elijah responded to the captain of the 50, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your 50 men.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his 50 men.(N)
11 So the king sent another captain of 50 with his 50 men to Elijah. He took in the situation[b] and announced, “Man of God, this is what the king says: ‘Come down immediately!’”
12 Elijah responded, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your 50 men.” So a divine fire[c] came down from heaven and consumed him and his 50 men.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8 But in the past, when you didn’t know God,(A) you were enslaved to things[a] that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God,(B) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt(C) elemental forces?(D) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 10 You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.(E) 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.
12 I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me; 13 you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness. 14 You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.[b] On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
15 What happened to this sense of being blessed you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?(F) 17 They[c] are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them. 18 Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good—and not just when I am with you. 19 My children,(G) I am again suffering labor pains(H) for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.
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