This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context.
Information about the meaning the original Hebrew or Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue. It is provided beneath the specific reading the words are in.
Collections of scriptures dealing principles similar to those addressed in particular readings are hyperlinked after those readings.
Excerpts collected in yellow at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him.
Excerpts collected in green at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do.
Excerpts collected in red at the end of this post tell us about something God does not want us to do.
Reading 1: Amos 8:4-7
Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land!
"When will the new moon be over," you ask, "that we may sell our grain, and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?
We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating!
We will buy the lowly for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"
The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done!
hear = שָׁמַע = šāmaʿ Blue Letter Bible listen to, obey; perceive by ear; to hear with attention or interest, listen to; give heed; to consent, agree; yield to; to obey, be obedient; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.); to hear and answer
trample = שָׁאַף = šā'ap̄ Blue Letter Bible to crush, trample, trample upon; devour, haste, pant, snuff up, swallow up; desire (earnestly); to gasp, pant, pant after, long for, breathe heavily; hasten
needy = אֶבְיוֹן = 'eḇyôn Blue Letter Bible in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person; subject to oppression and abuse; needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God; general reference to lowest class; beggar; wretched
destroy = שָׁבַת = šāḇaṯ Blue Letter Bible to cause to cease, put an end to; to exterminate, destroy; to remove; cause to fail; to keep or observe the sabbath
poor = עָנִי = ʿānî Blue Letter Bible poor, afflicted, humble, wretched; weak; humble, lowly; depressed in mind or circumstances; needy; meek, mild; oppressed
diminish = קָטֹן = qāṭōn Blue Letter Bible to make small, reduce significantly
ephah = אֵיפָה = 'êp̄â Blue Letter Bible a dry measure of quantity; the receptacle for measuring or holding that amount; measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
shekel = שֶׁקֶל = šeqel Blue Letter Bible the chief unit of weight or measure; a weight; used as a commercial standard
fix = עָוַת = ʿāvaṯ Blue Letter Bible to be bent, be crooked, bend, make crooked, pervert; subvert; to bend, make crooked; falsifying; overthrow
buy = קָנָה = qānâ Blue Letter Bible to get, acquire, create, buy, possess; procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
lowly = דַּל = dal Blue Letter Bible low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low; lean, needy, poor (man), weaker; powerless; feeble; dangling, swinging, hanging
poor—see “needy” above
sworn = שָׁבַע = šāḇaʿ Blue Letter Bible to swear, adjure, take an oath; charge solemnly
forget = שָׁכַח = šāḵaḥ Blue Letter Bible forget, ignore; to cease to care; wither; be oblivious of
a thing = כֹּל = kol Blue Letter Bible the whole; any, each, every, anything; totality, everything, of all kinds, every sort
done = מַעֲשֶׂה = maʿăśê Blue Letter Bible deed, thing done, act; work, labour; undertaking, enterprise; achievement; thing made; product
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles--Ill Gotten Gains Do Not Last
Wisdom Principles--No false/double standards
Wisdom Principles--Caring for the weak & vulnerable
Wisdom Principles: It is Human Nature to Treat the Poor Poorly (but that doesn't make it right)
Wisdom Principles: Rely on God, not Material Power or Wealth
***
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8
R. (cf. 1a, 7b) Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
High above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is his glory.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor to seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people.
R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
praise = הָלַל = halal Blue Letter Bible to shine; to flash forth light; to praise, boast, be boastful; be commended; glory; rave, celebrate; to be clear, to be brilliant; to sing; to make bright or shining
lifts up = רוּם = rûm Blue Letter Bible to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted; to lift up; exalt; set on high; hold up; raise, rear, cause to grow
poor = דַּל = dal Blue Letter Bible low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low; lean, needy, poor (man), weaker; powerless; feeble; dangling, swinging, hanging
servants = עֶבֶד = ʿeḇeḏ Blue Letter Bible slave, servant, man-servant; bondman, (bond-) servant; Subjects, of chief; servant of servants, the lowest servant
blessed = בָּרַךְ = bāraḵ Blue Letter Bible to kneel; be adored; to praise, salute; celebrate, adore
name = שֵׁם = šēm Blue Letter Bible name; reputation, fame, glory; honor, authority, character; renown, report
forever = עוֹלָם = ôlām Blue Letter Bible long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient; forever, always; perpetuity; continuous existence, perpetual; everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity; time out of mind (past or future); always; unending
high = רוּם = rûm Blue Letter Bible to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted; to lift up; exalt; set on high; hold up; raise, rear, cause to grow
all = כֹּל = kol Blue Letter Bible the whole; any, each, every, anything; totality, everything, of all kinds, every sort
nations = גּוֹי = gôy Blue Letter Bible nation, people; confluence of men
glory = כָּבוֹד = kāḇôḏ Blue Letter Bible glory, honour, glorious, abundance; weight, but only figuratively in a good sense; heaviness; splendor or copiousness; dignity of position; reputation, of character; majesty
enthroned = יָשַׁב = yāšaḇ Blue Letter Bible remain, sit, abide; to sit down; to settle; continue; habitation, haunt; remain; return; stay, tarry; to be seated; to dwell
high = גָּבַהּ = gāḇah Blue Letter Bible to be high, be exalted; to soar, i.e. be lofty; great height; elevated; tall
looks = רָאָה= rā'â Blue Letter Bible to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider; learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out; consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish; gaze at; enjoy, have experience, take heed; spy, stare; enjoy the light; be pleased with the sight; provide or care for, go to see
upon = שָׁפֵל = šāp̄ēl Blue Letter Bible to be or become low, sink, be humbled, be abased; to be or become low; sit down; o depress or sink (especially figuratively, to humiliate; set one in a lower place
raises—see “lift up” above
lowly—see “poor” above
dunghill= אַשְׁפֹּת = 'ašpōṯ Blue Letter Bible ash heap, refuse heap, dung-hill; a heap of rubbish or filth; beggars' resting-place; extreme poverty
lifts up = קוּם = qûm Blue Letter Bible to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up; after lying down (sleep, sickness, mourning, etc.), after falling, after being smitten, wounded, etc., from sitting, reclining, especially at meals; be clearer; get up; pitch;rouse up; stir up; go forth; flourish; persevere; arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed; bring on the scene
seats = יָשַׁב = yāšaḇ Blue Letter Bible remain, sit, abide; to sit down; to settle; continue; habitation, haunt; remain; return; stay, tarry; to be seated; to dwell
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles—God Sees and Understands all
Wisdom Principles—Caring for the weak & vulnerable
Wisdom Principles—God Loves Humility and Hates Pride
***
Reading 2: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all.
This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle— I am speaking the truth, I am not lying —, teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.
ask = παρακαλέω = parakaleō Blue Letter Bible Beseech; denotes "to call to one's side," hence, "to call to one's aid;" exhort, urge; summon; to beg, entreat; call for; pray;Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon call in, send for, summon; invoke; call upon; demand, require
supplication = δέησις =deēsis Blue Letter Bible an asking, entreaty, supplication, request; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon entreaty, petition
prayers = προσευχή = proseuchē Blue Letter Bible prayer addressed to God; a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer; prayer (worship); pray earnestly
petitions = ἔντευξις = enteuxis Blue Letter Bible a lighting upon, meeting with; an interview; a conversation; a conference or conversation; a petition; a technical term for approaching a king, and so for approaching God in intercession; a petition, supplication; prayer; seeking the presence and hearing of God on behalf of others; petition to a superior; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon lighting upon, meeting with; converse, intercourse; converse; petition; intercession for a person; reading, study
thanksgivings = εὐχαριστία = eucharistia Blue Letter Bible gratitude; thankfulness; the giving of thanks
offered for = ὑπέρ = hyper Blue Letter Bible for one's safety, for one's advantage or benefit (one who does a thing for another, is conceived of as standing or bending 'over' the one whom he would shield or defend); to be for one i. e. to be on one's side, to favor and further one's cause; in behalf of, for the sake of; on account of, for the sake of, any person; to do or suffer anything; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon in defence of, on behalf of; in your interests; for, instead of, in the name of; as representative of another; for, because of, by reason of; for the credit of your account; concerning
everyone = πᾶς = pas Blue Letter Bible radically means "all." Used without the article it means "every," every kind or variety; any and every, of every kind, all manner of; in every way or particular; the whole; each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything; thoroughly, whatsoever; all manner of; the highest degree, the maximum; always; in everything, in every way, on every side, in every particular or relation; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon when used of a number, all; when of one only, the whole; all, the whole; every; all things as a unity, as a totality; all kinds of things; in all points, entirely, wholly; in every way, by all means, altogether
AND
ἄνθρωπος = anthrōpos Blue Letter Bible a human being, male or female, without reference to sex or nationality; a generic name for man; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon man generically; humanity
kings= βασιλεύς = basileus Blue Letter Bible leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land; sovereign; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon king, chief, frequently with collateral sense of captain or judge; hereditary king; master
authority = ὑπεροχή = hyperochē Blue Letter Bible a projection, eminence, as a mountain peak; pre-eminence, superiority, excellency; authority; prominence; excellency of speech or of wisdom; distinguished eloquence or wisdom; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon projection, prominence; eminence; rising of a star; pre-eminence, superiority; where one exceeds the other in rank; alone; supremacy, authority, dignity
quiet = ἡσύχιος = hēsychios Blue Letter Bible tranquility; no disturbance; peaceable; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon still, quiet, at rest
tranquil = ἤρεμος = ēremos Blue Letter Bible quiet, tranquil; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon quiet; smoothness
devotion = εὐσέβεια = eusebeia Blue Letter Bible piety characterized by a Godward attitude; reverence, respect; piety towards God, godliness; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon reverence towards the gods or parents, piety or filial respect; loyalty
dignity = σεμνότης = semnotēs Blue Letter Bible venerableness, dignity; gravity; dignified seriousness; honesty; the characteristic of a thing or person which entitles to reverence and respect, majesty, sanctity; honor, probity, purity; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon solemnity, dignity; seriousness
good = καλός = kalos Blue Letter Bible beautiful, fair, in appearance; to look well, lit., "to be fair of face,” goodly, fair, beautiful, admirable, becoming; beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable; shapely, magnificent; excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends; well adapted to its circumstances or ends; valuable or virtuous for appearance or use; expedient, profitable, wholesome; affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming; that which is ethically good, right, noble, honorable, honest; genuine, approved; praiseworthy, noble; purity of heart and life; right, proper, becoming; honorable; conferring honor; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon beautiful, beauteous, fair, beautiful of form; the decencies, proprieties, elegancies of life; auspicious; moral beauty, virtue; well, rightly, deservedly
pleasing = ἀπόδεκτος = apodektos Blue Letter Bible acceptable; what is pleasing and welcome; agreeable; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon acceptable, welcome
pray = προσεύχομαι = proseuchomai Blue Letter Bible supplicate; worship; pray earnestly for, make prayer; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon offer prayers, worship or vows
Lifting up = ἐπαίρω = epairō Blue Letter Bible Exalt, hoist, lift; to lift up, raise up, raise on high; to be lifted up with pride, to exalt one's self; look up; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon lift up and set on; lift, raise; exalt, magnify; swell up; stir up, excite; urge on, induce, persuade; to be roused, led on, excited; to be elated at a thing
holy = ὅσιος = hosios Blue Letter Bible pure from evil; undefiled by sin, free from wickedness; pure; holy; hallowed; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon sinless, pure, clean; right; hallowed, i. e. sanctioned or allowed by the law of God or of nature; sanctioned by divine law, hallowed, holy; permitted or not forbidden by divine law, profane; pious, devout
hands = χείρ = cheir Blue Letter Bible by the agency of; by the help or agency of any one, by means of any one; a means or instrument; power, activity
anger = ὀργή = orgē Blue Letter Bible anger; the natural disposition, temper, character movement or agitation of the soul; impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger; wrath, indignation; punishment; violent passion; ire; abhorrence; indignation, vengeance, wrath; outbursts of anger; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon natural impulse or propensity; temperament, disposition, mood; anger, wrath; passionate, in a passion; visitations of wrath
argument = διαλογισμός = dialogismos Blue Letter Bible disputations; questioning; hesitation, doubting; disputing, arguing; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon balancing of accounts; calculation, consideration; debate, argument, discussion
This and similar principles are considered at:
Praying for Leaders: Why, How & About What
WWJD in this election? Pray for the other side.
***
Alleluia: Cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Lord = κύριος = kyrios Blue Letter Bible variously translated in the NT, "'Lord,' 'master,' 'Master,' 'owner,' 'Sir;' one who has the disposal of anything; one to whom service is due on any ground; one who exercises power; he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; the sovereign, prince, chief; a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence; supreme in authority; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon supreme power, authority; one invested with authority
rich = πλούσιος = plousios Blue Letter Bible wealthy, abounding in material resources; metaph. abounding, abundantly supplied; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon wealthy, opulent; ample, abundant
became poor = πτωχεύω = ptōcheuō Blue Letter Bible to be poor as a beggar; to be destitute; to become indigent; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be a beggar, go begging; to be as poor as a beggar; to be badly off
poverty = πτωχεία = ptōcheia Blue Letter Bible destitution; beggary; indigence; extreme poverty; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon beggary, mendicity
rich = πλουτέω = plouteō Blue Letter Bible to be rich, to have abundance, wealthy;to be richly supplied; affluent in resources so that he can give blessings; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be rich, wealthy; to be rich in a thing
***
Gospel: Luke 16:1-13
Jesus said to his disciples,
"A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.'
The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.'
He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
"For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?
No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon."
dishonest = ἀδικία = adikia Blue Letter Bible iniquity; unrighteousness; a condition of not being right; injustice; unrighteousness of heart and life; a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness; wrongfulness; guilt; treachery; unrighteousness by which others are deceived; reward obtained by wrong-doing; the wrong of depriving another of what is his; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon wrongdoing, injustice, a foul; wrongful act, offence
prudently = φρονίμως = phronimōs Blue Letter Bible prudently, wisely; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon in one's right mind, in one's senses; showing presence of mind; sensible, prudent; possessing sagacity or discernment in a thing; practical wisdom, prudence
prudent = φρόνιμος = phronimos Blue Letter Bible prudent, sensible, practically wise; intelligent; mindful of one's interests; thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet implying a cautious character; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon in one's right mind, in one's senses; presence of mind; sensible, prudent; possessing sagacity or discernment; practical wisdom
dishonest—see above
trustworthy = πιστός = pistos Blue Letter Bible believing, trusting; trusty, faithful, trustworthy; to be trusted, reliable; believing, trusting, relying; persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be trusted or believed; trusty; worthy of credit; genuine; trustworthy, sure; as could be relied on; with good faith
dishonest = ἄδικος = adikos Blue Letter Bible not in conformity; unjust, unrighteous; one who violates or has violated justice, unjust; unrighteous, sinful; of one who deals fraudulently with others, deceitful; wicked; by implication, treacherous; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon wrongdoing; unrighteous, unjust; one who plays unfairly; obstinate, unmanageable
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at Wisdom Principles--Ill Gotten Gains Do Not Last
***
What these readings tell us about God’s nature or our relationship to Him:
Never will I forget a thing they have done
the Lord [] lifts up the poor
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
the Lord [] lifts up the poor
High above all nations is the LORD
above the heavens is his glory
God, who is enthroned on high
looks upon the heavens and the earth below
the Lord [] lifts up the poor
He raises up the lowly from the dust
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
to seat them with princes
the Lord [] lifts up the poor
supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity
This is good and pleasing to God
who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
there is one God
There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
gave himself as ransom for all
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor
by his poverty you might become rich.
No servant can serve two masters
You cannot serve both God and mammon
What these readings tell us to do:
Praise the Lord
Lift[] up the poor
[be] servants of the LORD
praise the name of the LORD
Praise the Lord
lift[] up the poor
Praise the Lord
lift[] up the poor
Praise the Lord
lift[] up the poor
supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority
lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity
in every place [] men should pray … without anger or argument
[be] trustworthy
[be] trustworthy
[be] trustworthy
[be] trustworthy
What these readings tell us not to do:
trample upon the needy
destroy the poor
We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel
fix our scales for cheating!
We will buy the lowly for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals
serve … mammon
dishonest
dishonest
No comments:
Post a Comment