Jer. 15:10–21

15:10 I said,

“Oh, mother, how I regret that you ever gave birth to me!

I am always starting arguments and quarrels with the people of this land.

I have not lent money to anyone, and I have not borrowed from anyone.

Yet all these people are treating me with contempt.”

11The Lord said,

“Jerusalem, I will surely send you away for your own good.

I will surely bring the enemy upon you in a time of trouble and distress.

12Can you people who are like iron and bronze

break that iron fist from the north?

13I will give away your wealth and your treasures as plunder.

I will give it away free of charge for the sins you have committed throughout your land.

14I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you know nothing about.

For my anger is like a fire that will burn against you.”

15I said,

“Lord, you know how I suffer.

Take thought of me and care for me.

Pay back for me those who have been persecuting me.

Do not be so patient with them that you allow them to kill me.

Be mindful of how I have put up with their insults for your sake.

16As your words came to me, I drank them in,

and they filled my heart with joy and happiness

because I belong to you, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.

17I did not spend my time in the company of other people,

laughing and having a good time.

I stayed to myself because I felt obligated to you

and because I was filled with anger at what they had done.

18Why must I continually suffer such painful anguish?

Why must I endure the sting of their insults like an incurable wound?

Will you let me down when I need you,

like a brook one goes to for water but that cannot be relied on?”

19Because of this, the Lord said,

“You must repent of such words and thoughts!

If you do, I will restore you to the privilege of serving me.

If you say what is worthwhile instead of what is worthless,

I will again allow you to be my spokesman.

They must become as you have been.

You must not become like them.

20I will make you as strong as a wall to these people,

a fortified wall of bronze.

They will attack you,

but they will not be able to overcome you.

For I will be with you to rescue you and deliver you,”

says the Lord.

21“I will deliver you from the power of the wicked.

I will free you from the clutches of violent people.”

Ps. 134

134:1 A song of ascents.

Attention! Praise the Lord,

all you servants of the Lord

who serve in the Lord’s temple during the night.

2Lift your hands toward the sanctuary

and praise the Lord.

3May the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth,

bless you from Zion.

Acts 9:32–10:8

9:32 Now as Peter was traveling around from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for eight years because he was paralyzed. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Get up and make your own bed!” And immediately he got up. 35All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means Dorcas). She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity. 37At that time she became sick and died. When they had washed her body, they placed it in an upstairs room. 38Because Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come to us without delay.” 39So Peter got up and went with them, and when he arrived they brought him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him the tunics and other clothing Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40But Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43So Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a man named Simon, a tanner.

10:1 Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort. 2He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was all his household; he did many acts of charity for the people and prayed to God regularly. 3About three o’clock one afternoon he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.” 4Staring at him and becoming greatly afraid, Cornelius replied, “What is it, Lord?” The angel said to him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have gone up as a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa and summon a man named Simon, who is called Peter. 6This man is staying as a guest with a man named Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7When the angel who had spoken to him departed, Cornelius called two of his personal servants and a devout soldier from among those who served him, 8and when he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.