Saturday 2 September 2006

26For you see your calling,brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh,not many mighty, and not many noble;27but God chose the foolish things of the worldthat he might put to shame those who are wise.God chose the weak things of the worldthat he might put to shame the things that are strong.28God chose the lowly things of the world,and the things that are despised,and the things that don’t exist,that he might bring to nothing the things that exist,29that no flesh should boast before God.30Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus,who was made to us wisdom from God,and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,31that, as it is written,“He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

12Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.13The Lord looks from heaven.He sees all the sons of men.

18Behold, the Lord’s eye is on those who fear him,on those who hope in his loving kindness,19to deliver their soul from death,to keep them alive in famine.

20Our soul has waited for the Lord.He is our help and our shield.21For our heart rejoices in him,because we have trusted in his holy name.

14“For it is like a man going into another country,who called his own servantsand entrusted his goods to them.15To one he gave five talents,to another two, to another one,to each according to his own ability.Then he went on his journey.16Immediately he who received the five talents wentand traded with them,and made another five talents.17In the same way, he alsowho got the two gained another two.18But he who received the one talent went awayand dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.

19“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came,and settled accounts with them.20He who received the five talents cameand brought another five talents,saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents.Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’

21“His lord said to him,‘Well done, good and faithful servant.You have been faithful over a few things,I will set you over many things.Enter into the joy of your lord.’

22“He also who got the two talents came and said,‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents.Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’

23“His lord said to him,‘Well done, good and faithful servant.You have been faithful over a few things.I will set you over many things.Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24“He also who had received the one talent came and said,‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man,reaping where you didn’t sow,and gathering where you didn’t scatter.25I was afraid, and went awayand hid your talent in the earth.Behold, you have what is yours.’

26“But his lord answered him,‘You wicked and slothful servant.You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow,and gather where I didn’t scatter.27You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers,and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.28Take away therefore the talent from himand give it to him who has the ten talents.29For to everyone who has will be given,and he will have abundance,but from him who doesn’t have,even that which he has will be taken away.30Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness,where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’