May 19 Reading

23:1 And Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” Balak did as Balaam had said. And Balak and Balaam offered on each altar a bull and a ram. And Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever he shows me I will tell you.” And he went to a bare height, and God met Balaam. And Balaam said to him, “I have arranged the seven altars and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram.” And the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” And he returned to him, and behold, he and all the princes of Moab were standing beside his burnt offering. And Balaam took up his discourse and said,

  “From Aram Balak has brought me,
    the king of Moab from the eastern mountains:
  ‘Come, curse Jacob for me,
    and come, denounce Israel!’
  How can I curse whom God has not cursed?
    How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?
  For from the top of the crags I see him,
    from the hills I behold him;
  behold, a people dwelling alone,
    and not counting itself among the nations!
  Who can count the dust of Jacob
    or number the fourth part of Israel?
  Let me die the death of the upright,
    and let my end be like his!”

And Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them.” And he answered and said, “Must I not take care to speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

And Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place, from which you may see them. You shall see only a fraction of them and shall not see them all. Then curse them for me from there.” And he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering, while I meet the LORD over there.” And the LORD met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus shall you speak.” And he came to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, “What has the LORD spoken?” And Balaam took up his discourse and said,

  “Rise, Balak, and hear;
    give ear to me, O son of Zippor:
  God is not man, that he should lie,
    or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
  Has he said, and will he not do it?
    Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
  Behold, I received a command to bless:
    he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.
  He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob,
    nor has he seen trouble in Israel.
  The LORD their God is with them,
    and the shout of a king is among them.
  God brings them out of Egypt
    and is for them like the horns of the wild ox.
  For there is no enchantment against Jacob,
    no divination against Israel;
  now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel,
    ‘What has God wrought!’
  Behold, a people! As a lioness it rises up
    and as a lion it lifts itself;
  it does not lie down until it has devoured the prey
    and drunk the blood of the slain.”

And Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all.” But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the LORD says, that I must do’?” And Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.” So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the desert. And Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

12:1 And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture:

  “‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
  this was the Lord’s doing,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.

And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.”

Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,

  “‘The Lord said to my Lord,
  “Sit at my right hand,
    until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Aleph

119:1   Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the LORD!
  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
  who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
  You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
  Oh that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
  Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
  I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous rules.
  I will keep your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me!

Beth

  How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
  With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
  I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
  Blessed are you, O LORD;
    teach me your statutes!
  With my lips I declare
    all the rules of your mouth.
  In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
  I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
  I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

Gimel

  Deal bountifully with your servant,
    that I may live and keep your word.
  Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
  I am a sojourner on the earth;
    hide not your commandments from me!
  My soul is consumed with longing
    for your rules at all times.
  You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from your commandments.
  Take away from me scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your testimonies.
  Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
  Your testimonies are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

Daleth

  My soul clings to the dust;
    give me life according to your word!
  When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes!
  Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
  My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
  Put false ways far from me
    and graciously teach me your law!
  I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your rules before me.
  I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;
    let me not be put to shame!
  I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you enlarge my heart!

He

  Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
  Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
  Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
  Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
  Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
  Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.
  Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
  Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!

Waw

  Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
    your salvation according to your promise;
  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your rules.
  I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
  and I shall walk in a wide place,
    for I have sought your precepts.
  I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
  for I find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
  I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.

Zayin

  Remember your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me hope.
  This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.
  The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not turn away from your law.
  When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O LORD.
  Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
  Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my sojourning.
  I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
    and keep your law.
  This blessing has fallen to me,
    that I have kept your precepts.

Heth

  The LORD is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words.
  I entreat your favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
  When I think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
  I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.
  Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not forget your law.
  At midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your righteous rules.
  I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
  The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
    teach me your statutes!

Teth

  You have dealt well with your servant,
    O LORD, according to your word.
  Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
  Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
  You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes.
  The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
  their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
  It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
  The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

  Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
  Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
  I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
  Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.
  Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my delight.
  Let the insolent be put to shame,
    because they have wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
  Let those who fear you turn to me,
    that they may know your testimonies.
  May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
    that I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

  My soul longs for your salvation;
    I hope in your word.
  My eyes long for your promise;
    I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
  How long must your servant endure?
    When will you judge those who persecute me?
  The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
  All your commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
  They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
  In your steadfast love give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

  Forever, O LORD, your word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
  Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
  By your appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
  If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
  I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have given me life.
  I am yours; save me,
    for I have sought your precepts.
  The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
  I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem

  Oh how I love your law!
    It is my meditation all the day.
  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.
  I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for your testimonies are my meditation.
  I understand more than the aged,
    for I keep your precepts.
  I hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
  I do not turn aside from your rules,
    for you have taught me.
  How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
  Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

  Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
  I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your righteous rules.
  I am severely afflicted;
    give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
  Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD,
    and teach me your rules.
  I hold my life in my hand continually,
    but I do not forget your law.
  The wicked have laid a snare for me,
    but I do not stray from your precepts.
  Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
    for they are the joy of my heart.
  I incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, to the end.

Samekh

  I hate the double-minded,
    but I love your law.
  You are my hiding place and my shield;
    I hope in your word.
  Depart from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commandments of my God.
  Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
  Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually!
  You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
    for their cunning is in vain.
  All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
    therefore I love your testimonies.
  My flesh trembles for fear of you,
    and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

  I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
  Give your servant a pledge of good;
    let not the insolent oppress me.
  My eyes long for your salvation
    and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
  Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
    and teach me your statutes.
  I am your servant; give me understanding,
    that I may know your testimonies!
  It is time for the LORD to act,
    for your law has been broken.
  Therefore I love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
  Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
    I hate every false way.

Pe

  Your testimonies are wonderful;
    therefore my soul keeps them.
  The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple.
  I open my mouth and pant,
    because I long for your commandments.
  Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
  Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
  Redeem me from man’s oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
  Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.
  My eyes shed streams of tears,
    because people do not keep your law.

Tsadhe

  Righteous are you, O LORD,
    and right are your rules.
  You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
    and in all faithfulness.
  My zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
  Your promise is well tried,
    and your servant loves it.
  I am small and despised,
    yet I do not forget your precepts.
  Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is true.
  Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my delight.
  Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph

  With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
    I will keep your statutes.
  I call to you; save me,
    that I may observe your testimonies.
  I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I hope in your words.
  My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promise.
  Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
    O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
  They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
    they are far from your law.
  But you are near, O LORD,
    and all your commandments are true.
  Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have founded them forever.

Resh

  Look on my affliction and deliver me,
    for I do not forget your law.
  Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!
  Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.
  Great is your mercy, O LORD;
    give me life according to your rules.
  Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
  I look at the faithless with disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
  Consider how I love your precepts!
    Give me life, O LORD, according to your steadfast love.
  The sum of your word is truth,
    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

  Princes persecute me without cause,
    but my heart stands in awe of your words.
  I rejoice at your word
    like one who finds great spoil.
  I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love your law.
  Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous rules.
  Great peace have those who love your law;
    nothing can make them stumble.
  I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
    and I do your commandments.
  My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I love them exceedingly.
  I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    for all my ways are before you.

Taw

  Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
    give me understanding according to your word!
  Let my plea come before you;
    deliver me according to your word.
  My lips will pour forth praise,
    for you teach me your statutes.
  My tongue will sing of your word,
    for all your commandments are right.
  Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
  I long for your salvation, O LORD,
    and your law is my delight.
  Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commandments.