Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Third Sunday after Pentecost

Alternate first reading and Psalm

15The LORD said, “Return to the wilderness near Damascus, then enter the city and anoint Hazael as king of Syria; 16anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.

1 Kings 19:15-16GNBOpen in Bible reader

The Call of Elisha

19Elijah left and found Elisha ploughing with a team of oxen; there were eleven teams ahead of him, and he was ploughing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha. 20Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will go with you.”

Elijah answered, “All right, go back. I'm not stopping you!”

21Then Elisha went to his team of oxen, killed them, and cooked the meat, using the yoke as fuel for the fire. He gave the meat to the people, and they ate it. Then he went and followed Elijah as his helper.

1 Kings 19:19-21GNBOpen in Bible reader

A Prayer of Confidence

1Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.

2I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;

all the good things I have come from you.”

3How excellent are the LORD's faithful people!

My greatest pleasure is to be with them.

4Those who rush to other gods

bring many troubles on themselves.

I will not take part in their sacrifices;

I will not worship their gods.

5You, LORD, are all I have,

and you give me all I need;

my future is in your hands.

6How wonderful are your gifts to me;

how good they are!

7I praise the LORD, because he guides me,

and in the night my conscience warns me.

8I am always aware of the LORD's presence;

he is near, and nothing can shake me.

9And so I am thankful and glad,

and I feel completely secure,

10because you protect me from the power of death.

I have served you faithfully,

and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

11You will show me the path that leads to life;

your presence fills me with joy

and brings me pleasure for ever.

Psalms 16:1-11GNBOpen in Bible reader
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