Tuesday 10 January 2012

9So Hannah rose up after they had finished eatingand drinking in Shiloh.Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple.10She was in bitterness of soul,and prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.11She vowed a vow, and said,“Lord of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me,and not forget your servant,but will give to your servant a boy,then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life,and no razor shall come on his head.”

12As she continued praying before the Lord,Eli saw her mouth.13Now Hannah spoke in her heart.Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.14Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk?Get rid of your wine!”

15Hannah answered, “No,my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit.I have not been drinking wine or strong drink,but I poured out my soul before the Lord.16Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman;for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaintand my provocation.”

17Then Eli answered, “Go in peace;and may the God of Israel grant your petitionthat you have asked of him.”

18She said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.”So the woman went her way and ate;and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more.

19They rose up in the morning early and worshiped the Lord,then returned and came to their house to Ramah.Then Elkanah knew Hannah his wife;and the Lord remembered her.

20When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son;and she named him Samuel,saying, “Because I have asked him of the Lord.”

1Hannah prayed, and said,

“My heart exults in the Lord!My horn is exalted in the Lord.My mouth is enlarged over my enemies,because I rejoice in your salvation.

4“The bows of the mighty men are broken.Those who stumbled are armed with strength.5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread.Those who were hungry are satisfied.Yes, the barren has borne seven.She who has many children languishes.

6“The Lord kills and makes alive.He brings down to Sheol and brings up.7The Lord makes poor and makes rich.He brings low, he also lifts up.

8He raises up the poor out of the dust.He lifts up the needy from the dunghillto make them sit with princesand inherit the throne of glory.For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s.He has set the world on them.

21They went into Capernaum,and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.22They were astonished at his teaching,for he taught them as having authority,and not as the scribes.23Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,24saying, “Ha!What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene?Have you come to destroy us?I know who you are:the Holy One of God!”

25Jesus rebuked him,saying, “Be quiet,and come out of him!”

26The unclean spirit,convulsing himand crying with a loud voice, came out of him.27They were all amazed,so that they questioned among themselves,saying, “What is this?What can this new doctrine be?For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits,and they obey him!”28The report of him went out immediately into all the region of Galileeand its surrounding area.