Bible Society of South Africa

Seisoen na Pinkster: Proper 13 (18)

Eerste lesing en Psalm

God's Love for his Rebellious People

1The LORD says,

“When Israel was a child, I loved him

and called him out of Egypt as my son.

2But the more I called to him,

the more he turned away from me.

My people sacrificed to Baal;

they burnt incense to idols.

3Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk.

I took my people up in my arms,

but they did not acknowledge that I took care of them.

4I drew them to me with affection and love.

I picked them up and held them to my cheek;

I bent down to them and fed them.

5“They refuse to return to me, and so they must return to Egypt, and Assyria will rule them. 6War will sweep through their cities and break down the city gates. It will destroy my people because they do what they themselves think best. 7They insist on turning away from me. They will cry out because of the yoke that is on them, but no one will lift it from them.

8“How can I give you up, Israel?

How can I abandon you?

Could I ever destroy you as I did Admah,

or treat you as I did Zeboiim?

My heart will not let me do it!

My love for you is too strong.

9I will not punish you in my anger;

I will not destroy Israel again.

For I am God and not a human being.

I, the Holy One, am with you.

I will not come to you in anger.

10“My people will follow me when I roar like a lion at their enemies. They will hurry to me from the west. 11They will come from Egypt, as swiftly as birds, and from Assyria, like doves. I will bring them to their homes again. I, the LORD, have spoken.”

Hosea 11:1-11GNBOpen in Bible reader

Psalms 107—150

In Praise of God's Goodness

1“Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good;

his love is eternal!”

2Repeat these words in praise to the LORD,

all you whom he has saved.

He has rescued you from your enemies

3and has brought you back from foreign countries,

from east and west, from north and south.

4Some wandered in the trackless desert

and could not find their way to a city to live in.

5They were hungry and thirsty

and had given up all hope.

6Then in their trouble they called to the LORD,

and he saved them from their distress.

7He led them by a straight road

to a city where they could live.

8They must thank the LORD for his constant love,

for the wonderful things he did for them.

9He satisfies those who are thirsty

and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalms 107:1-9.43GNBOpen in Bible reader

The Prayer of Someone in Exile

(Continuation of Ps 42)

1O God, declare me innocent,

and defend my cause against the ungodly;

deliver me from lying and evil people!

2You are my protector;

why have you abandoned me?

Why must I go on suffering

from the cruelty of my enemies?

3Send your light and your truth;

may they lead me

and bring me back to Zion, your sacred hill,

and to your Temple, where you live.

4Then I will go to your altar, O God;

you are the source of my happiness.

I will play my harp and sing praise to you,

O God, my God.

5Why am I so sad?

Why am I so troubled?

I will put my hope in God,

and once again I will praise him,

my saviour and my God.

Psalms 43-43GNBOpen in Bible reader
Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
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