1 Samuel 14, Romans 12, Jeremiah 51, Psalm 30

1 Samuel 14,

1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, "Come, let's go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side." But he did not tell his father.
 
2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men,
 
3 among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod's brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.
 
4 On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez, and the other Seneh.
 
5 One cliff stood to the north toward Micmash, the other to the south toward Geba.
 
6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."
 
7 "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul."
 
8 Jonathan said, "Come, then; we will cross over toward the men and let them see us.
 
9 If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come to you,' we will stay where we are and not go up to them.
 
10 But if they say, 'Come up to us,' we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands."
 
11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. "Look!" said the Philistines. "The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in."
 
12 The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, "Come up to us and we'll teach you a lesson." So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, "Climb up after me; the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel."
 
13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him.
 
14 In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.
 
15 Then panic struck the whole army-those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties-and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.
 
16 Saul's lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions.
 
17 Then Saul said to the men who were with him, "Muster the forces and see who has left us." When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.
 
18 Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God." (At that time it was with the Israelites.)
 
19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."
 
20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.
 
21 Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
 
22 When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit.
 
23 So the LORD rescued Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.
 
24 Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.
 
25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground.
 
26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out, yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.
 
27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
 
28 Then one of the soldiers told him, "Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, 'Cursed be any man who eats food today!' That is why the men are faint."
 
29 Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.
 
30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?"
 
31 That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.
 
32 They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.
 
33 Then someone said to Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that has blood in it." "You have broken faith," he said. "Roll a large stone over here at once."
 
34 Then he said, "Go out among the men and tell them, 'Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it.' " So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.
 
35 Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had done this.
 
36 Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive." "Do whatever seems best to you," they replied. But the priest said, "Let us inquire of God here."
 
37 So Saul asked God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel's hand?" But God did not answer him that day.
 
38 Saul therefore said, "Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today.
 
39 As surely as the LORD who rescues Israel lives, even if it lies with my son Jonathan, he must die." But not one of the men said a word.
 
40 Saul then said to all the Israelites, "You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here." "Do what seems best to you," the men replied.
 
41 Then Saul prayed to the LORD, the God of Israel, "Give me the right answer." And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared.
 
42 Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son." And Jonathan was taken.
 
43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him, "I merely tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now must I die?"
 
44 Saul said, "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan."
 
45 But the men said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die-he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God's help." So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
 
46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.
 
47 After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.
 
48 He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.
 
49 Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.
 
50 His wife's name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul's army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul's uncle.
 
51 Saul's father Kish and Abner's father Ner were sons of Abiel.
 
52 All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.
 

Romans 12,

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.
 
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
 
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
 
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
 
5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
 
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
 
7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
 
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
 
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
 
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
 
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
 
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
 
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
 
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
 
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
 
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
 
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
 
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
 
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
 
20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
 
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
 

Jeremiah 51,

1 This is what the LORD says: "See, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Leb Kamai.
 
2 I will send foreigners to Babylon to winnow her and to devastate her land; they will oppose her on every side in the day of her disaster.
 
3 Let not the archer string his bow, nor let him put on his armor. Do not spare her young men; completely destroy her army.
 
4 They will fall down slain in Babylon, fatally wounded in her streets.
 
5 For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the LORD Almighty, though their land is full of guilt before the Holy One of Israel.
 
6 "Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins. It is time for the LORD's vengeance; he will pay her what she deserves.
 
7 Babylon was a gold cup in the LORD's hand; she made the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore they have now gone mad.
 
8 Babylon will suddenly fall and be broken. Wail over her! Get balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.
 
9 " 'We would have healed Babylon, but she cannot be healed; let us leave her and each go to his own land, for her judgment reaches to the skies, it rises as high as the clouds.'
 
10 " 'The LORD has vindicated us; come, let us tell in Zion what the LORD our God has done.'
 
11 "Sharpen the arrows, take up the shields! The LORD has stirred up the kings of the Medes, because his purpose is to destroy Babylon. The LORD will take vengeance, vengeance for his temple.
 
12 Lift up a banner against the walls of Babylon! Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The LORD will carry out his purpose, his decree against the people of Babylon.
 
13 You who live by many waters and are rich in treasures, your end has come, the time for you to be cut off.
 
14 The LORD Almighty has sworn by himself: I will surely fill you with men, as with a swarm of locusts, and they will shout in triumph over you.
 
15 "He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
 
16 When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
 
17 "Every man is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them.
 
18 They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish.
 
19 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including the tribe of his inheritance-the LORD Almighty is his name.
 
20 "You are my war club, my weapon for battle-with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms,
 
21 with you I shatter horse and rider, with you I shatter chariot and driver,
 
22 with you I shatter man and woman, with you I shatter old man and youth, with you I shatter young man and maiden,
 
23 with you I shatter shepherd and flock, with you I shatter farmer and oxen, with you I shatter governors and officials.
 
24 "Before your eyes I will repay Babylon and all who live in Babylonia for all the wrong they have done in Zion," declares the LORD.
 
25 "I am against you, O destroying mountain, you who destroy the whole earth," declares the LORD. "I will stretch out my hand against you, roll you off the cliffs, and make you a burned-out mountain.
 
26 No rock will be taken from you for a cornerstone, nor any stone for a foundation, for you will be desolate forever," declares the LORD.
 
27 "Lift up a banner in the land! Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations for battle against her; summon against her these kingdoms: Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz. Appoint a commander against her; send up horses like a swarm of locusts.
 
28 Prepare the nations for battle against her-the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the countries they rule.
 
29 The land trembles and writhes, for the LORD's purposes against Babylon stand-to lay waste the land of Babylon so that no one will live there.
 
30 Babylon's warriors have stopped fighting; they remain in their strongholds. Their strength is exhausted; they have become like women. Her dwellings are set on fire; the bars of her gates are broken.
 
31 One courier follows another and messenger follows messenger to announce to the king of Babylon that his entire city is captured,
 
32 the river crossings seized, the marshes set on fire, and the soldiers terrified."
 
33 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "The Daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is trampled; the time to harvest her will soon come."
 
34 "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured us, he has thrown us into confusion, he has made us an empty jar. Like a serpent he has swallowed us and filled his stomach with our delicacies, and then has spewed us out.
 
35 May the violence done to our flesh be upon Babylon," say the inhabitants of Zion. "May our blood be on those who live in Babylonia," says Jerusalem.
 
36 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "See, I will defend your cause and avenge you; I will dry up her sea and make her springs dry.
 
37 Babylon will be a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals, an object of horror and scorn, a place where no one lives.
 
38 Her people all roar like young lions, they growl like lion cubs.
 
39 But while they are aroused, I will set out a feast for them and make them drunk, so that they shout with laughter-then sleep forever and not awake," declares the LORD.
 
40 "I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams and goats.
 
41 "How Sheshach will be captured, the boast of the whole earth seized! What a horror Babylon will be among the nations!
 
42 The sea will rise over Babylon; its roaring waves will cover her.
 
43 Her towns will be desolate, a dry and desert land, a land where no one lives, through which no man travels.
 
44 I will punish Bel in Babylon and make him spew out what he has swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him. And the wall of Babylon will fall.
 
45 "Come out of her, my people! Run for your lives! Run from the fierce anger of the LORD.
 
46 Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.
 
47 For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon; her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her.
 
48 Then heaven and earth and all that is in them will shout for joy over Babylon, for out of the north destroyers will attack her," declares the LORD.
 
49 "Babylon must fall because of Israel's slain, just as the slain in all the earth have fallen because of Babylon.
 
50 You who have escaped the sword, leave and do not linger! Remember the LORD in a distant land, and think on Jerusalem."
 
51 "We are disgraced, for we have been insulted and shame covers our faces, because foreigners have entered the holy places of the LORD's house."
 
52 "But days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will punish her idols, and throughout her land the wounded will groan.
 
53 Even if Babylon reaches the sky and fortifies her lofty stronghold, I will send destroyers against her," declares the LORD.
 
54 "The sound of a cry comes from Babylon, the sound of great destruction from the land of the Babylonians.
 
55 The LORD will destroy Babylon; he will silence her noisy din. Waves of enemies will rage like great waters; the roar of their voices will resound.
 
56 A destroyer will come against Babylon; her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken. For the LORD is a God of retribution; he will repay in full.
 
57 I will make her officials and wise men drunk, her governors, officers and warriors as well; they will sleep forever and not awake," declares the King, whose name is the LORD Almighty.
 
58 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Babylon's thick wall will be leveled and her high gates set on fire; the peoples exhaust themselves for nothing, the nations' labor is only fuel for the flames."
 
59 This is the message Jeremiah gave to the staff officer Seraiah son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went to Babylon with Zedekiah king of Judah in the fourth year of his reign.
 
60 Jeremiah had written on a scroll about all the disasters that would come upon Babylon-all that had been recorded concerning Babylon.
 
61 He said to Seraiah, "When you get to Babylon, see that you read all these words aloud.
 
62 Then say, 'O LORD, you have said you will destroy this place, so that neither man nor animal will live in it; it will be desolate forever.'
 
63 When you finish reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the Euphrates.
 
64 Then say, 'So will Babylon sink to rise no more because of the disaster I will bring upon her. And her people will fall.' " The words of Jeremiah end here.
 

Psalm 30

1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
 
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
 
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.
 
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
 
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
 
6 When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."
 
7 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
 
8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
 
9 "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
 
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help."
 
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
 
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.