1 Chron. 12:1–18

12:1 These were the men who joined David in Ziklag, when he was banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish. (They were among the warriors who assisted him in battle. 2They were armed with bows and could shoot arrows or sling stones right- or left-handed. They were fellow tribesmen of Saul from Benjamin.) These were:

3Ahiezer, the leader, and Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, Jehu the Anathothite,

4Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, one of the thirty warriors and their leader, (12:5) Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite,

5(12:6) Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite,

6Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites,

7and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.

8Some of the Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were warriors who were trained for battle; they carried shields and spears. They were as fierce as lions and could run as quickly as gazelles across the hills. 9Ezer was the leader, Obadiah the second-in-command, Eliab the third, 10Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbannai the eleventh. 14These Gadites were military leaders; the least led a hundred men, the greatest a thousand. 15They crossed the Jordan River in the first month, when it was overflowing its banks, and routed those living in all the valleys to the east and west.

16Some from Benjamin and Judah also came to David’s stronghold. 17David went out to meet them and said, “If you come to me in peace and want to help me, then I will make an alliance with you. But if you come to betray me to my enemies when I have not harmed you, may the God of our ancestors take notice and judge!” 18But a spirit empowered Amasai, the leader of the group of warriors known as the Thirty, and he said:

“We are yours, O David!

We support you, O son of Jesse!

May you greatly prosper.

May those who help you prosper.

Indeed your God helps you!”

So David accepted them and made them leaders of raiding bands.

Ps. 115

115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

but to your name bring honor,

for the sake of your loyal love and faithfulness.

2Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

3Our God is in heaven.

He does whatever he pleases.

4Their idols are made of silver and gold—

they are man-made.

5They have mouths, but cannot speak;

eyes, but cannot see;

6ears, but cannot hear;

noses, but cannot smell;

7hands, but cannot touch;

feet, but cannot walk.

They cannot even clear their throats.

8Those who make them will end up like them,

as will everyone who trusts in them.

9O Israel, trust in the Lord.

He is their deliverer and protector.

10O family of Aaron, trust in the Lord.

He is their deliverer and protector.

11You loyal followers of the Lord, trust in the Lord.

He is their deliverer and protector.

12The Lord takes notice of us; he will bless—

he will bless the family of Israel,

he will bless the family of Aaron.

13He will bless his loyal followers,

both young and old.

14May he increase your numbers,

yours and your children’s.

15May you be blessed by the Lord,

the Creator of heaven and earth.

16The heavens belong to the Lord,

but the earth he has given to mankind.

17The dead do not praise the Lord,

nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death.

18But we will praise the Lord

now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord!

Mark 12:28–44

12:28 Now one of the experts in the law came and heard them debating. When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The expert in the law said to him, “That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that he is one, and there is no one else besides him. 33And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Then no one dared any longer to question him.

35While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he said, “How is it that the experts in the law say that the Christ is David’s son? 36David himself, by the Holy Spirit, said,

“‘The Lord said to my lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

37If David himself calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.

38In his teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the experts in the law. They like walking around in long robes and elaborate greetings in the marketplaces, 39and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40They devour widows’ property, and as a show make long prayers. These men will receive a more severe punishment.”

41Then he sat down opposite the offering box, and watched the crowd putting coins into it. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts. 42And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny. 43He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. 44For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.”