Giving to the needy (2/4) Give praise to the Lord , proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. This is what the Lord says to Israel: “Seek me and live.” Sing to the Lord , for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord ’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord , the Maker of heaven and earth. After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord , the God of Israel.” A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Take words with you and return to the Lord . Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.” If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Next verse! With image