1 KINGS 17-18

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Elijah Predicts Drought  17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 2 The word of the LORD came to him, saying, 3 “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook. 7 It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.
    8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, “Please get me a little water in a jar, that I may drink.” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” 12 But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 Then Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. 14 For thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.’” 15 So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah.
Elijah Raises the Widow’s Son    17 Now it came about after these things that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became sick; and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18 So she said to Elijah, “What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity to remembrance and to put my son to death!” 19 He said to her, “Give me your son.” Then he took him from her bosom and carried him up to the upper room where he was living, and laid him on his own bed. 20 He called to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, have You also brought calamity to the widow with whom I am staying, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and called to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray You, let this child’s life return to him.” 22 The LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him and he revived. 23 Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house and gave him to his mother; and Elijah said, “See, your son is alive.” 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”
Obadiah Meets Elijah  18:1 Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 Ahab called Obadiah who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly; 4 for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.) 5 Then Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys; perhaps we will find grass and keep the horses and mules alive, and not have to kill some of the cattle.” 6 So they divided the land between them to survey it; Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way by himself.
    7 Now as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him, and he recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is this you, Elijah my master?” 8 He said to him, “It is I. Go, say to your master, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 He said, “What sin have I committed, that you are giving your servant into the hand of Ahab to put me to death? 10 As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent to search for you; and when they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made the kingdom or nation swear that they could not find you. 11 And now you are saying, ‘Go, say to your master, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ 12 It will come about when I leave you that the Spirit of the LORD will carry you where I do not know; so when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the LORD from my youth. 13 Has it not been told to my master what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, that I hid a hundred prophets of the LORD by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water? 14 And now you are saying, ‘Go, say to your master, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; he will then kill me.” 15 Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
    17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is this you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 He said, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and you have followed the Baals. 19 Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
God or Baal on Mount Carmel    20 So Ahab sent a message among all the sons of Israel and brought the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Now let them give us two oxen; and let them choose one ox for themselves and cut it up, and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other ox and lay it on the wood, and I will not put a fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people said, “That is a good idea.”
    25 So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.” 26 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made. 27 It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened.” 28 So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them. 29 When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.
    30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD which had been torn down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” 32 So with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he made a trench around the altar, large enough to hold two measures of seed. 33 Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood. 34 And he said, “Fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” And he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. 35 The water flowed around the altar and he also filled the trench with water.
Elijah’s Prayer36 At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.” 40 Then Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; do not let one of them escape.” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
    41 Now Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go back” seven times. 44 It came about at the seventh time, that he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.’” 45 In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 Then the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel.

PSALM 119

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Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God.Aleph.119:1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless,

Who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,

Who seek Him with all their heart.

3 They also do no unrighteousness;

They walk in His ways.

4 You have ordained Your precepts,

That we should keep them diligently.

5 Oh that my ways may be established

To keep Your statutes!

6 Then I shall not be ashamed

When I look upon all Your commandments.

7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,

When I learn Your righteous judgments.

8 I shall keep Your statutes;

Do not forsake me utterly!

Beth.9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

10 With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

12 Blessed are You, O LORD;

Teach me Your statutes.

13 With my lips I have told of

All the ordinances of Your mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on Your precepts

And regard Your ways.

16 I shall delight in Your statutes;

I shall not forget Your word.

Gimel.17 Deal bountifully with Your servant,

That I may live and keep Your word.

18 Open my eyes, that I may behold

Wonderful things from Your law.

19 I am a stranger in the earth;

Do not hide Your commandments from me.

20 My soul is crushed with longing

After Your ordinances at all times.

21 You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed,

Who wander from Your commandments.

22 Take away reproach and contempt from me,

For I observe Your testimonies.

23 Even though princes sit and talk against me,

Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

24 Your testimonies also are my delight;

They are my counselors.

Daleth.25 My soul cleaves to the dust;

Revive me according to Your word.

26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;

Teach me Your statutes.

27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts,

So I will meditate on Your wonders.

28 My soul weeps because of grief;

Strengthen me according to Your word.

29 Remove the false way from me,

And graciously grant me Your law.

30 I have chosen the faithful way;

I have placed Your ordinances before me.

31 I cling to Your testimonies;

O LORD, do not put me to shame!

32 I shall run the way of Your commandments,

For You will enlarge my heart.

He.33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall observe it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law

And keep it with all my heart.

35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.

36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies

And not to dishonest gain.

37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,

And revive me in Your ways.

38 Establish Your word to Your servant,

As that which produces reverence for You.

39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,

For Your ordinances are good.

40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;

Revive me through Your righteousness.

Vav.41 May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O LORD,

Your salvation according to Your word;

42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me,

For I trust in Your word.

43 And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

For I wait for Your ordinances.

44 So I will keep Your law continually,

Forever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts.

46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings

And shall not be ashamed.

47 I shall delight in Your commandments,

Which I love.

48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,

Which I love;

And I will meditate on Your statutes.

Zayin.49 Remember the word to Your servant,

In which You have made me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction,

That Your word has revived me.

51 The arrogant utterly deride me,

Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

52 I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O LORD,

And comfort myself.

53 Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,

Who forsake Your law.

54 Your statutes are my songs

In the house of my pilgrimage.

55 O LORD, I remember Your name in the night,

And keep Your law.

56 This has become mine,

That I observe Your precepts.

Heth.57 The LORD is my portion;

I have promised to keep Your words.

58 I sought Your favor with all my heart;

Be gracious to me according to Your word.

59 I considered my ways

And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

60 I hastened and did not delay

To keep Your commandments.

61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me,

But I have not forgotten Your law.

62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You

Because of Your righteous ordinances.

63 I am a companion of all those who fear You,

And of those who keep Your precepts.

64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD;

Teach me Your statutes.

Teth.65 You have dealt well with Your servant,

O LORD, according to Your word.

66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge,

For I believe in Your commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.

68 You are good and do good;

Teach me Your statutes.

69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me;

With all my heart I will observe Your precepts.

70 Their heart is covered with fat,

But I delight in Your law.

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,

That I may learn Your statutes.

72 The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh.73 Your hands made me and fashioned me;

Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

74 May those who fear You see me and be glad,

Because I wait for Your word.

75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous,

And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

76 O may Your lovingkindness comfort me,

According to Your word to Your servant.

77 May Your compassion come to me that I may live,

For Your law is my delight.

78 May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie;

But I shall meditate on Your precepts.

79 May those who fear You turn to me,

Even those who know Your testimonies.

80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,

So that I will not be ashamed.

Kaph.81 My soul languishes for Your salvation;

I wait for Your word.

82 My eyes fail with longing for Your word,

While I say, “When will You comfort me?”

83 Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

I do not forget Your statutes.

84 How many are the days of Your servant?

When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?

85 The arrogant have dug pits for me,

Men who are not in accord with Your law.

86 All Your commandments are faithful;

They have persecuted me with a lie; help me!

87 They almost destroyed me on earth,

But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts.

88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,

So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

Lamedh.89 Forever, O LORD,

Your word is settled in heaven.

90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations;

You established the earth, and it stands.

91 They stand this day according to Your ordinances,

For all things are Your servants.

92 If Your law had not been my delight,

Then I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget Your precepts,

For by them You have revived me.

94 I am Yours, save me;

For I have sought Your precepts.

95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me;

I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection;

Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem.97 O how I love Your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,

For they are ever mine.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,

For Your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged,

Because I have observed Your precepts.

101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,

That I may keep Your word.

102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,

For You Yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are Your words to my taste!

Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 From Your precepts I get understanding;

Therefore I hate every false way.

Nun.105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.

106 I have sworn and I will confirm it,

That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

107 I am exceedingly afflicted;

Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,

And teach me Your ordinances.

109 My life is continually in my hand,

Yet I do not forget Your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,

Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever,

For they are the joy of my heart.

112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes

Forever, even to the end.

Samekh.113 I hate those who are double-minded,

But I love Your law.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield;

I wait for Your word.

115 Depart from me, evildoers,

That I may observe the commandments of my God.

116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;

And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

117 Uphold me that I may be safe,

That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.

118 You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes,

For their deceitfulness is useless.

119 You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross;

Therefore I love Your testimonies.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of You,

And I am afraid of Your judgments.

Ayin.121 I have done justice and righteousness;

Do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Be surety for Your servant for good;

Do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation

And for Your righteous word.

124 Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness

And teach me Your statutes.

125 I am Your servant; give me understanding,

That I may know Your testimonies.

126 It is time for the LORD to act,

For they have broken Your law.

127 Therefore I love Your commandments

Above gold, yes, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything,

I hate every false way.

Pe.129 Your testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore my soul observes them.

130 The unfolding of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple.

131 I opened my mouth wide and panted,

For I longed for Your commandments.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

After Your manner with those who love Your name.

133 Establish my footsteps in Your word,

And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from the oppression of man,

That I may keep Your precepts.

135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

And teach me Your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of water,

Because they do not keep Your law.

Tsadhe.137 Righteous are You, O LORD,

And upright are Your judgments.

138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness

And exceeding faithfulness.

139 My zeal has consumed me,

Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

140 Your word is very pure,

Therefore Your servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised,

Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

And Your law is truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,

Yet Your commandments are my delight.

144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;

Give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph.145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD!

I will observe Your statutes.

146 I cried to You; save me

And I shall keep Your testimonies.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I wait for Your words.

148 My eyes anticipate the night watches,

That I may meditate on Your word.

149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;

Revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances.

150 Those who follow after wickedness draw near;

They are far from Your law.

151 You are near, O LORD,

And all Your commandments are truth.

152 Of old I have known from Your testimonies

That You have founded them forever.

Resh.153 Look upon my affliction and rescue me,

For I do not forget Your law.

154 Plead my cause and redeem me;

Revive me according to Your word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked,

For they do not seek Your statutes.

156 Great are Your mercies, O LORD;

Revive me according to Your ordinances.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.

158 I behold the treacherous and loathe them,

Because they do not keep Your word.

159 Consider how I love Your precepts;

Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.

160 The sum of Your word is truth,

And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

Shin.161 Princes persecute me without cause,

But my heart stands in awe of Your words.

162 I rejoice at Your word,

As one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and despise falsehood,

But I love Your law.

164 Seven times a day I praise You,

Because of Your righteous ordinances.

165 Those who love Your law have great peace,

And nothing causes them to stumble.

166 I hope for Your salvation, O LORD,

And do Your commandments.

167 My soul keeps Your testimonies,

And I love them exceedingly.

168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,

For all my ways are before You.

Tav.169 Let my cry come before You, O LORD;

Give me understanding according to Your word.

170 Let my supplication come before You;

Deliver me according to Your word.

171 Let my lips utter praise,

For You teach me Your statutes.

172 Let my tongue sing of Your word,

For all Your commandments are righteousness.

173 Let Your hand be ready to help me,

For I have chosen Your precepts.

174 I long for Your salvation, O LORD,

And Your law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live that it may praise You,

And let Your ordinances help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,

For I do not forget Your commandments.

JUDE 1

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The Warnings of History to the Ungodly  1:1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
    To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.
    3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
    5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.
    8 Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.
    14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.
Keep Yourselves in the Love of God    17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
    24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.