Daily Lectionary

1 Samuel 1:21-2:17

²¹ The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.
²² But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the LORD and dwell there forever.”
²³ Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the LORD establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.
²⁴ And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. And the child was young.
²⁵ Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.
²⁶ And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD.
²⁷ For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.
²⁸ Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.
¹ And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.
² “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.
³ Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
⁴ The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.
⁵ Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
⁶ The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
⁷ The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.
⁸ He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.
⁹ “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.
¹⁰ The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
¹¹ Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli the priest.
¹² Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD.
¹³ The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand,
¹⁴ and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
¹⁵ Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw.”
¹⁶ And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force.”
¹⁷ Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD, for the men treated the offering of the LORD with contempt. (ESV)

Galatians 6:1-18

¹ Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
⁴ But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
⁵ For each will have to bear his own load.
⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
¹¹ See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
¹² It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
¹³ For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
¹⁴ But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
¹⁵ For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
¹⁶ And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
¹⁷ From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. (ESV)