1 KINGS 17-18

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Elijah Predicts a Drought  17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 2 And the word of the Lord came to him: 3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. The Widow of Zarephath8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. Elijah Raises the Widow’s Son17 After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” 19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. 20 And he cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” 21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” 22 And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” 24 And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.” Elijah Confronts Ahab  18:1 After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.
    7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here.’ 12 And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth. 13 Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord’s prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here’; and he will kill me.” 15 And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah.
    17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” The Prophets of Baal Defeated20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.
    30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.
    36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there. The Lord Sends Rain41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

PSALM 119

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Your Word Is a Lamp to My FeetAleph119:1

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the Lord! 2

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart, 3

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways! 4

You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently. 5

Oh that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes! 6

Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7

I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn your righteous rules. 8

I will keep your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me! Beth9

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word. 10

With my whole heart I seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments! 11

I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you. 12

Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes! 13

With my lips I declare

all the rules of your mouth. 14

In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches. 15

I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways. 16

I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word. Gimel17

Deal bountifully with your servant,

that I may live and keep your word. 18

Open my eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of your law. 19

I am a sojourner on the earth;

hide not your commandments from me! 20

My soul is consumed with longing

for your rules at all times. 21

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

who wander from your commandments. 22

Take away from me scorn and contempt,

for I have kept your testimonies. 23

Even though princes sit plotting against me,

your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24

Your testimonies are my delight;

they are my counselors. Daleth25

My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word! 26

When I told of my ways, you answered me;

teach me your statutes! 27

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28

My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word! 29

Put false ways far from me

and graciously teach me your law! 30

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your rules before me. 31

I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;

let me not be put to shame! 32

I will run in the way of your commandments

when you enlarge my heart! He33

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end. 34

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart. 35

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it. 36

Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain! 37

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways. 38

Confirm to your servant your promise,

that you may be feared. 39

Turn away the reproach that I dread,

for your rules are good. 40

Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life! Waw41

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,

your salvation according to your promise; 42

then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,

for I trust in your word. 43

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your rules. 44

I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever, 45

and I shall walk in a wide place,

for I have sought your precepts. 46

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings

and shall not be put to shame, 47

for I find my delight in your commandments,

which I love. 48

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes. Zayin49

Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope. 50

This is my comfort in my affliction,

that your promise gives me life. 51

The insolent utterly deride me,

but I do not turn away from your law. 52

When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O Lord. 53

Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake your law. 54

Your statutes have been my songs

in the house of my sojourning. 55

I remember your name in the night, O Lord,

and keep your law. 56

This blessing has fallen to me,

that I have kept your precepts. Heth57

The Lord is my portion;

I promise to keep your words. 58

I entreat your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise. 59

When I think on my ways,

I turn my feet to your testimonies; 60

I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments. 61

Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law. 62

At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous rules. 63

I am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts. 64

The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;

teach me your statutes! Teth65

You have dealt well with your servant,

O Lord, according to your word. 66

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments. 67

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I keep your word. 68

You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes. 69

The insolent smear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70

their heart is unfeeling like fat,

but I delight in your law. 71

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes. 72

The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Yodh73

Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 74

Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,

because I have hoped in your word. 75

I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76

Let your steadfast love comfort me

according to your promise to your servant. 77

Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight. 78

Let the insolent be put to shame,

because they have wronged me with falsehood;

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. 79

Let those who fear you turn to me,

that they may know your testimonies. 80

May my heart be blameless in your statutes,

that I may not be put to shame! Kaph81

My soul longs for your salvation;

I hope in your word. 82

My eyes long for your promise;

I ask, “When will you comfort me?” 83

For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten your statutes. 84

How long must your servant endure?

When will you judge those who persecute me? 85

The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;

they do not live according to your law. 86

All your commandments are sure;

they persecute me with falsehood; help me! 87

They have almost made an end of me on earth,

but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88

In your steadfast love give me life,

that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. Lamedh89

Forever, O Lord, your word

is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90

Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 91

By your appointment they stand this day,

for all things are your servants. 92

If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction. 93

I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life. 94

I am yours; save me,

for I have sought your precepts. 95

The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider your testimonies. 96

I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly broad. Mem97

Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day. 98

Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me. 99

I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation. 100

I understand more than the aged,

for I keep your precepts. 101

I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word. 102

I do not turn aside from your rules,

for you have taught me. 103

How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104

Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way. Nun105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path. 106

I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to keep your righteous rules. 107

I am severely afflicted;

give me life, O Lord, according to your word! 108

Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,

and teach me your rules. 109

I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law. 110

The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from your precepts. 111

Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart. 112

I incline my heart to perform your statutes

forever, to the end. Samekh113

I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law. 114

You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word. 115

Depart from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117

Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually! 118

You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,

for their cunning is in vain. 119

All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,

therefore I love your testimonies. 120

My flesh trembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgments. Ayin121

I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors. 122

Give your servant a pledge of good;

let not the insolent oppress me. 123

My eyes long for your salvation

and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. 124

Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

and teach me your statutes. 125

I am your servant; give me understanding,

that I may know your testimonies! 126

It is time for the Lord to act,

for your law has been broken. 127

Therefore I love your commandments

above gold, above fine gold. 128

Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;

I hate every false way. Pe129

Your testimonies are wonderful;

therefore my soul keeps them. 130

The unfolding of your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple. 131

I open my mouth and pant,

because I long for your commandments. 132

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

as is your way with those who love your name. 133

Keep steady my steps according to your promise,

and let no iniquity get dominion over me. 134

Redeem me from man’s oppression,

that I may keep your precepts. 135

Make your face shine upon your servant,

and teach me your statutes. 136

My eyes shed streams of tears,

because people do not keep your law. Tsadhe137

Righteous are you, O Lord,

and right are your rules. 138

You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness

and in all faithfulness. 139

My zeal consumes me,

because my foes forget your words. 140

Your promise is well tried,

and your servant loves it. 141

I am small and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts. 142

Your righteousness is righteous forever,

and your law is true. 143

Trouble and anguish have found me out,

but your commandments are my delight. 144

Your testimonies are righteous forever;

give me understanding that I may live. Qoph145

With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!

I will keep your statutes. 146

I call to you; save me,

that I may observe your testimonies. 147

I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I hope in your words. 148

My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise. 149

Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

O Lord, according to your justice give me life. 150

They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

they are far from your law. 151

But you are near, O Lord,

and all your commandments are true. 152

Long have I known from your testimonies

that you have founded them forever. Resh153

Look on my affliction and deliver me,

for I do not forget your law. 154

Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise! 155

Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes. 156

Great is your mercy, O Lord;

give me life according to your rules. 157

Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not swerve from your testimonies. 158

I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands. 159

Consider how I love your precepts!

Give me life according to your steadfast love. 160

The sum of your word is truth,

and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. Sin and Shin161

Princes persecute me without cause,

but my heart stands in awe of your words. 162

I rejoice at your word

like one who finds great spoil. 163

I hate and abhor falsehood,

but I love your law. 164

Seven times a day I praise you

for your righteous rules. 165

Great peace have those who love your law;

nothing can make them stumble. 166

I hope for your salvation, O Lord,

and I do your commandments. 167

My soul keeps your testimonies;

I love them exceedingly. 168

I keep your precepts and testimonies,

for all my ways are before you. Taw169

Let my cry come before you, O Lord;

give me understanding according to your word! 170

Let my plea come before you;

deliver me according to your word. 171

My lips will pour forth praise,

for you teach me your statutes. 172

My tongue will sing of your word,

for all your commandments are right. 173

Let your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts. 174

I long for your salvation, O Lord,

and your law is my delight. 175

Let my soul live and praise you,

and let your rules help me. 176

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.

JUDE 1

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Greeting  1:1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,
    To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
    2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Judgment on False Teachers3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
    5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
    8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
    14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. A Call to Persevere17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Doxology24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.