1 Chron. 23:24–32

23:24 These were the descendants of Levi according to their families, that is, the leaders of families as counted and individually listed who carried out assigned tasks in the Lord’s temple and were twenty years old and up. 25For David said, “The Lord God of Israel has given his people rest and has permanently settled in Jerusalem. 26So the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the items used in its service.” 27According to David’s final instructions, the Levites twenty years old or older were counted.

28Their job was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the Lord’s temple. They were to take care of the courtyards, the rooms, ceremonial purification of all holy items, and other jobs related to the service of God’s temple. 29They also took care of the bread that is displayed, the flour for offerings, the unleavened wafers, the round cakes, the mixing, and all the measuring. 30They also stood in a designated place every morning and offered thanks and praise to the Lord. They also did this in the evening 31and whenever burnt sacrifices were offered to the Lord on the Sabbath and at new moon festivals and assemblies. A designated number were to serve before the Lord regularly in accordance with regulations. 32They were in charge of the meeting tent and the Holy Place, and helped their relatives, the descendants of Aaron, in the service of the Lord’s temple.

Ps. 119:113–120

119:113 ס (Samek)

I hate people with divided loyalties,

but I love your law.

114You are my hiding place and my shield.

I find hope in your word.

115Turn away from me, you evil men,

so that I can observe the commands of my God.

116Sustain me as you promised, so that I will live.

Do not disappoint me.

117Support me so that I will be delivered.

Then I will focus on your statutes continually.

118You despise all who stray from your statutes,

for such people are deceptive and unreliable.

119You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag.

Therefore I love your rules.

120My body trembles because I fear you;

I am afraid of your judgments.

1 Cor. 7:25–40

7:25 With regard to the question about people who have never married, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy. 26Because of the impending crisis I think it best for you to remain as you are. 27The one bound to a wife should not seek divorce. The one released from a wife should not seek marriage. 28But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face difficult circumstances, and I am trying to spare you such problems. 29And I say this, brothers and sisters: The time is short. So then those who have wives should be as those who have none, 30those with tears like those not weeping, those who rejoice like those not rejoicing, those who buy like those without possessions, 31those who use the world as though they were not using it to the full. For the present shape of this world is passing away.

32And I want you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife, 34and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband. 35I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord.

36If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the bloom of youth and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry. 37But the man who is firm in his commitment, and is under no necessity but has control over his will, and has decided in his own mind to keep his own virgin, does well. 38So then, the one who marries his own virgin does well, but the one who does not, does better.

39A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes (only someone in the Lord). 40But in my opinion, she will be happier if she remains as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God!