Lectionary 19, Year A

⁹ He came to a cave there, and camped there; and behold, the LORD’s word came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” ¹¹ He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” Behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake a fire passed; but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a still small voice. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Behold, a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” ¹⁵ The LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. ¹⁶ Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place. ¹⁷ He who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. ¹⁸ Yet I reserved seven thousand in Israel, all the knees of which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.”

⁸ I will hear what God, the LORD, will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, his saints; but let them not turn again to folly. ⁹ Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. ¹⁰ Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. ¹¹ Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. ¹² Yes, the LORD will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase. ¹³ Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps.

⁵ For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.” ⁶ But the righteousness which is of faith says this, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down); ⁷ or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)” ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;” that is, the word of faith which we preach: ⁹ that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. ¹³ For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ¹⁴ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”