2 Kings 13:1–13

13:1 In the twenty-third year of the reign of Judah’s King Joash son of Ahaziah, Jehu’s son Jehoahaz became king over Israel. He reigned in Samaria for 17 years. 2He did evil in the sight of the Lord. He continued in the sinful ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat who had encouraged Israel to sin; he did not repudiate those sins. 3The Lord was furious with Israel and handed them over to King Hazael of Syria and to Hazael’s son Ben Hadad for many years.

4Jehoahaz asked for the Lord’s mercy, and the Lord responded favorably, for he saw that Israel was oppressed by the king of Syria. 5The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they were freed from Syria’s power. The Israelites once more lived in security. 6But they did not repudiate the sinful ways of the family of Jeroboam, who encouraged Israel to sin; they continued in those sins. There was even an Asherah pole standing in Samaria. 7Jehoahaz had no army left except for 50 horsemen, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers. The king of Syria had destroyed his troops and trampled on them as dust.

8The rest of the events of Jehoahaz’s reign, including all his accomplishments and successes, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel. 9Jehoahaz passed away and was buried in Samaria. His son Jehoash replaced him as king.

10In the thirty-seventh year of King Jehoash’s reign over Judah, Jehoahaz’s son Jehoash became king over Israel. He reigned in Samaria for 16 years. 11He did evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not repudiate the sinful ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat who encouraged Israel to sin; he continued in those sins. 12The rest of the events of Jehoash’s reign, including all his accomplishments and his successful war with King Amaziah of Judah, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel. 13Jehoash passed away and Jeroboam succeeded him on the throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

Ps. 42

42:1 For the music director, a well-written song by the Korahites.

As a deer longs for streams of water,

so I long for you, O God!

2I thirst for God,

for the living God.

I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?”

3I cannot eat; I weep day and night.

All day long they say to me, “Where is your God?”

4I will remember and weep.

For I was once walking along with the great throng to the temple of God,

shouting and giving thanks along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival.

5Why are you depressed, O my soul?

Why are you upset?

Wait for God!

For I will again give thanks

to my God for his saving intervention.

6I am depressed,

so I will pray to you while in the region of the upper Jordan,

from Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

7One deep stream calls out to another at the sound of your waterfalls;

all your billows and waves overwhelm me.

8By day the Lord decrees his loyal love,

and by night he gives me a song,

a prayer to the God of my life.

9I will pray to God, my high ridge:

“Why do you ignore me?

Why must I walk around mourning

because my enemies oppress me?”

10My enemies’ taunts cut me to the bone,

as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

11Why are you depressed, O my soul?

Why are you upset?

Wait for God!

For I will again give thanks

to my God for his saving intervention.

Matt. 21:18–27

21:18 Now early in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. 19After noticing a fig tree by the road he went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, “Never again will there be fruit from you!” And the fig tree withered at once. 20When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21Jesus answered them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive.”

23Now after Jesus entered the temple courts, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24Jesus answered them, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from people?” They discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘From people,’ we fear the crowd, for they all consider John to be a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.