Scripture Reading for the
Common Calendar Year
(beginning January 1st)

May 23

Text taken from the
Third Millennium Bible^® (TMB^®)
(New Authorized Version^TM NAV^TM)

The Lectionary According to the Common Calendar

Psalm 119:97-112

97 O how I love Thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou, through Thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies;
for Thy commands are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for Thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients,
because I keep Thy precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
that I might keep Thy word.
102 I have not departed from Thy judgments,
for Thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are Thy words unto my taste,
yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through Thy precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn an oath, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much;
quicken me, O LORD, according unto Thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech Thee,
the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
yet I erred not from Thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy statutes alway,
even unto the end.

Mark 10:17-27 

17 And when He had gone forth onto the road, there came one running, and knelt before Him and asked Him, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said unto him, 

"Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments: `Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, defraud not, honor thy father and mother.'" 

20 And he answered and said unto Him, "Master, all these have I observed from my youth." 21 Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said unto him, 

"One thing thou lackest: Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 

22 And he was sad at that saying and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about and said unto His disciples, 

"How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God!" 

24 And the disciples were astonished at His words, but Jesus answered again and said unto them, 

"Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." 

26 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" 27 And Jesus, looking upon them, said, 

"With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." 

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

16 But thanks be to God who put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being even more zealous, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the churches. 19 And not that only, but he was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and to declare your ready mind. 20 For we are avoiding having any man blame us in this abundance which is administered by us, 21 providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved to be diligent in many things, but now much more diligent because of the great confidence which I have in you. 23 If any should inquire about Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you. Or if our brethren be inquired about, they are the messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.

2 Samuel 15:1-16a

1 And it came to pass after this that Absalom prepared himself chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and it was so that, when any man who had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him and said, "Of what city art thou?" And he said, "Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel." 3 And Absalom said unto him, "See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear thee." 4 Absalom said moreover, "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!" 5 And it was so that, when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him. 6 And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, "I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed unto the LORD in Hebron. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, `If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'" 9 And the king said unto him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, `Absalom reigneth in Hebron.'" 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem who were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom." 14 And David said unto all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee, for we shall not else escape from Absalom. Make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword." 15 And the king's servants said unto the king, "Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint." 16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him.

Words of Wisdom - Ecclesiasticus 17:25a

Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins;