1 Chron. 29:1–30

29:1 King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man, and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the Lord God. 2So I have made every effort to provide what is needed for the temple of my God, including the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, as well as a large amount of onyx, settings of antimony and other stones, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster. 3Now, to show my commitment to the temple of my God, I donate my personal treasure of gold and silver to the temple of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for this holy temple. 4This includes 3,000 talents of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings, 5for gold and silver items, and for all the work of the craftsmen. Who else wants to contribute to the Lord today?”

6The leaders of the families, the leaders of the Israelite tribes, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and the supervisors of the king’s work contributed willingly. 7They donated for the service of God’s temple 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron. 8All who possessed precious stones donated them to the treasury of the Lord’s temple, which was under the supervision of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude; King David was also very happy.

10David praised the Lord before the entire assembly:

“O Lord God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore! 11O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You, Lord, have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all. 12You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all. 13Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!

14“But who am I and who are my people that we should be in a position to contribute this much? Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours. 15For we are resident foreigners and temporary settlers in your presence, as all our ancestors were; our days are like a shadow on the earth, without security. 16O Lord our God, all this wealth, which we have collected to build a temple for you to honor your holy name, comes from you; it all belongs to you. 17I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you. 18O Lord God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, always maintain these motives of your people and keep them devoted to you. 19Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations.”

20David told the entire assembly: “Praise the Lord your God!” So the entire assembly praised the Lord God of their ancestors; they bowed down and stretched out flat on the ground before the Lord and the king.

21The next day they made sacrifices and offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord (1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams, 1,000 lambs), along with their accompanying drink offerings and many other sacrifices for all Israel. 22They held a feast before the Lord that day and celebrated.

Then they designated Solomon, David’s son, as king a second time; before the Lord they anointed him as ruler and Zadok as priest. 23Solomon sat on the Lord’s throne as king in place of his father David; he was successful and all Israel was loyal to him. 24All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. 25The Lord greatly magnified Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater majesty than any king of Israel before him.

26David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27He reigned over Israel forty years; he reigned in Hebron seven years and in Jerusalem thirty-three years. 28He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him. 29King David’s accomplishments, from start to finish, are recorded in the Annals of Samuel the prophet, the Annals of Nathan the prophet, and the Annals of Gad the prophet. 30Recorded there are all the facts about his reign and accomplishments, and an account of the events that involved him, Israel, and all the neighboring kingdoms.

Ps. 120

120:1 A song of ascents.

In my distress I cried out

to the Lord and he answered me.

2I said, “O Lord, rescue me

from those who lie with their lips

and those who deceive with their tongues.”

3How will he severely punish you,

you deceptive talker?

4Here’s how! With the sharp arrows of warriors,

with arrowheads forged over the hot coals.

5How miserable I am.

For I have lived temporarily in Meshech;

I have resided among the tents of Kedar.

6For too long I have had to reside

with those who hate peace.

7I am committed to peace,

but when I speak, they want to make war.

1 Cor. 10:23–11:16

10:23 “Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds others up. 24Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person. 25Eat anything that is sold in the marketplace without questions of conscience, 26for the earth and its abundance are the Lord’s. 27If an unbeliever invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is served without asking questions of conscience. 28But if someone says to you, “This is from a sacrifice,” do not eat, because of the one who told you and because of conscience— 29I do not mean yours but the other person’s. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I blamed for the food that I give thanks for? 31So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32Do not give offense to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I also try to please everyone in all things. I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved. 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

2I praise you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 3But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered disgraces his head. 5But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered disgraces her head, for it is one and the same thing as having a shaved head. 6For if a woman will not cover her head, she should cut off her hair. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should cover her head. 7For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man. 8For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. 9Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for man. 10For this reason a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11In any case, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman. But all things come from God. 13Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace for him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16If anyone intends to quarrel about this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.