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Psalm 119:49-104 (Listen)

Zayin

Remember your word to your servant,
  in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
  that your promise gives me life.
The insolent utterly deride me,
  but I do not turn away from your law.
When I think of your rules from of old,
  I take comfort, O Lord.
Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
  who forsake your law.
Your statutes have been my songs
  in the house of my sojourning.
I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
  and keep your law.
This blessing has fallen to me,
  that I have kept your precepts.

Heth

The Lord is my portion;
  I promise to keep your words.
I entreat your favor with all my heart;
  be gracious to me according to your promise.
When I think on my ways,
  I turn my feet to your testimonies;
I hasten and do not delay
  to keep your commandments.
Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
  I do not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to praise you,
  because of your righteous rules.
I am a companion of all who fear you,
  of those who keep your precepts.
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
  teach me your statutes!

Teth

You have dealt well with your servant,
  O Lord, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
  for I believe in your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
  but now I keep your word.
You are good and do good;
  teach me your statutes.
The insolent smear me with lies,
  but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
their heart is unfeeling like fat,
  but I delight in your law.
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
  that I might learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is better to me
  than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

Your hands have made and fashioned me;
  give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
  because I have hoped in your word.
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
  and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Let your steadfast love comfort me
  according to your promise to your servant.
Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
  for your law is my delight.
Let the insolent be put to shame,
  because they have wronged me with falsehood;
  as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
Let those who fear you turn to me,
  that they may know your testimonies.
May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
  that I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

My soul longs for your salvation;
  I hope in your word.
My eyes long for your promise;
  I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
  yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
How long must your servant endure? [1]
  When will you judge those who persecute me?
The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
  they do not live according to your law.
All your commandments are sure;
  they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
They have almost made an end of me on earth,
  but I have not forsaken your precepts.
In your steadfast love give me life,
  that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

Forever, O Lord, your word
  is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
  you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
By your appointment they stand this day,
  for all things are your servants.
If your law had not been my delight,
  I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
  for by them you have given me life.
I am yours; save me,
  for I have sought your precepts.
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
  but I consider your testimonies.
I have seen a limit to all perfection,
  but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem

Oh how I love your law!
  It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
  for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
  for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged, [2]
  for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
  in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
  for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
  sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
  therefore I hate every false way.

1 Corinthians 4 (Listen)

The Ministry of Apostles

4:1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, [3] that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent [4] you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, [5] as I teach them everywhere in every church. Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Footnotes

[1] 119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?
[2] 119:100 Or the elders
[3] 4:6 Or brothers and sisters
[4] 4:17 Or am sending
[5] 4:17 Some manuscripts add Jesus