Sunday 19 February 2034

2Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph,having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him,to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.· · · verses 3–6 are not read7So David and Abishai came to the people by night;and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons,with his spear stuck in the ground at his head;and Abner and the people lay around him.8Then Abishai said to David,“God has delivered up your enemy into your hand today.Now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the earth at one stroke,and I will not strike him the second time.”

9David said to Abishai,“Don’t destroy him,for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed,and be guiltless?”

· · · verses 10–11 are not read12So David took the spearand the jar of water from Saul’s head,and they went away.No man saw it, or knew it, nor did any awake;for they were all asleep,because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.13Then David went over to the other side,and stood on the top of the mountain far away,a great space being between them;

· · · verses 14–21 are not read22David answered, “Behold the spear, O king!Let one of the young men come over and get it.23The Lord will give to every man his righteousnessand his faithfulness;because the Lord delivered you into my hand today,and I wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.

1Praise the Lord, my soul!All that is within me, praise his holy name!2Praise the Lord, my soul,and don’t forget all his benefits,

3who forgives all your sins,who heals all your diseases,4who redeems your life from destruction,who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,

8The Lord is merciful and gracious,slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.10He has not dealt with us according to our sins,nor repaid us for our iniquities.

12As far as the east is from the west,so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13Like a father has compassion on his children,so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

45So also it is written,“The first man Adam became a living soul.”The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.46However, that which is spiritual isn’t first,but that which is natural,then that which is spiritual.47The first man is of the earth, made of dust.The second man is the Lord from heaven.48As is the one made of dust,such are those who are also made of dust;and as is the heavenly,such are they also that are heavenly.49As we have borne the image of those made of dust,let’s also bear the image of the heavenly.

27“But I tell you who hear:love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28bless those who curse you,and pray for those who mistreat you.29To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other;and from him who takes away your cloak,don’t withhold your coat also.30Give to everyone who asks you,and don’t ask himwho takes away your goods to give them back again.

31“As you would like people to do to you,do exactly so to them.

32“If you love those who love you,what credit is that to you?For even sinners love those who love them.33If you do good to those who do good to you,what credit is that to you?For even sinners do the same.34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive,what credit is that to you?Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.35But love your enemies,and do good, and lend,expecting nothing back;and your reward will be great,and you will be children of the Most High;for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

36“Therefore be merciful,even as your Father is also merciful.37Don’t judge,and you won’t be judged.Don’t condemn,and you won’t be condemned.Set free,and you will be set free.

38“Give, and it will be given to you:good measure, pressed down,shaken together, and running over,will be given to you.For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”