In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael caravans ¹  disappeared; ²  travelers ³  had to go on winding side roads.

That very day Gideon’s father named him Jerub-Baal, ¹  because he had said, “Let Baal fight with him, for it was his altar that was pulled down.”

The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe ¹  of Benjamin, saying, “How could such a wicked thing take place? ² 

When Eli heard the outcry, ¹  he said, “What is this commotion?” ²  The man quickly came and told Eli.

For you say, ‘Where now is the nobleman’s house, ¹  and where are the tents in which the wicked lived?’ ² 

The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance, ¹  and he reveals his covenantal demands to them. ² 

All this ¹  monotony ²  is tiresome; no one can bear ³  to describe it: ⁴  The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear ever content ⁵  with hearing.

He said, “Go and tell these people: ‘Listen continually, but don’t understand! Look continually, but don’t perceive!’

Then I asked one nearby, “What are these, sir?” The angelic messenger ¹  who replied to me said, “I will show you what these are.”

Next I asked the messenger, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the menorah?”

“Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him ¹  Emmanuel,” ²  which means ³  “God with us.” ⁴ 

But I say to you, do not take oaths at all – not by heaven, because it is the throne of God,

Go and learn what this saying means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ ¹  For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

If ¹  you had known what this means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,’ ²  you would not have condemned the innocent.

Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say anything good, since you are evil? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart.

to James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee, ¹  he gave the name Boanerges (that is, “sons of thunder”);

But the magician Elymas ¹  (for that is the way his name is translated) ²  opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul ³  away from the faith.

For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified. ¹ 

so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another.

For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit. ¹