Saturday in Season after Pentecost

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

1 Kings 20:35-43

Verse 35. Meanwhile, by the word of the LORD, one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, “Strike me, please!” But the man refused to strike him. Verse 36. Then the prophet said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you depart from me a lion will kill you.” And when he left, a lion found him and killed him. Verse 37. Then the prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please!” So the man struck him and wounded him, Verse 38. and the prophet went and waited on the road for the king, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes. Verse 39. As the king passed by, he cried out to the king: “Your servant had marched out into the middle of the battle, when suddenly a man came over with a captive and told me, ‘Guard this man! If he goes missing for any reason, your life will be exchanged for his life, or you will weigh out a talent of silver. ’ Verse 40. But while your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you have pronounced it on yourself.” Verse 41. Then the prophet quickly removed the bandage from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets. Verse 42. And the prophet said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have let slip from your hand the man I had devoted to destruction, your life will be exchanged for his life, and your people for his people.’” Verse 43. Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went home to Samaria.

PSALM

Psalm 5:1-8

For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.

The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity.

You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 18:28-19:8

Verse 28. Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” And he bowed facedown before the king. He continued, “Blessed be the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.” Verse 29. The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was.” Verse 30. “Move aside,” said the king, “and stand here.” So he stepped aside. Verse 31. Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!” Verse 32. The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to harm you be like that young man.” Verse 33. The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” Verse 1. Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.” Verse 2. And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.” Verse 3. So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle. Verse 4. But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” Verse 5. Then Joab went into the house and said to the king, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, of your wives, and of your concubines. Verse 6. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you! Verse 7. Now therefore get up! Go out and speak comfort to your servants, for I swear by the LORD that if you do not go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the adversity that has befallen you from your youth until now!” Verse 8. So the king got up and sat in the gate, and all the people were told: “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” So they all came before the king. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled, each man to his home.

PSALM

Psalm 32

Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat.

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

SECOND READING

Luke 5:17-26

Verse 17. One day Jesus was teaching, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. People had come from Jerusalem and from every village of Galilee and Judea, and the power of the Lord was present for Him to heal the sick. Verse 18. Just then some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They tried to bring him inside to set him before Jesus, Verse 19. but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Verse 20. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Verse 21. But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Verse 22. Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Verse 23. Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? Verse 24. But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on the earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” Verse 25. And immediately the man stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. Verse 26. Everyone was taken with amazement and glorified God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”