Wednesday in Season after Pentecost

1Verse 1. This is the word that the LORD spoke through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans: 2Verse 2. “Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’ 3Verse 3. For a nation from the north will come against her; it will make her land a desolation. No one will live in it; both man and beast will flee.” 4Verse 4. “In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the children of Israel and the children of Judah will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God. 5Verse 5. They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten. 6Verse 6. My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. 7Verse 7. All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’ 17Verse 17. Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” 18Verse 18. Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria. 19Verse 19. I will return Israel to his pasture, and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead. 20Verse 20. In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, a search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for Judah’s sins, but they will not be found; for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.

36Verse 36. When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light. 37Verse 37. In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him, and he became like a stone. 38Verse 38. About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead. 39Verse 39. On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. 40Verse 40. When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” 41Verse 41. She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” 42Verse 42. So Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife.