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 or meditations on scriptures dealing with 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: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
***
The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.
weak = πτωχός = ptōchos Blue Letter Bible one who crouches and cowers; reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms; destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour; lowly, afflicted, destitute; helpless, powerless to accomplish an end; destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture; absolute or public mendicancy; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Beggarly
hears = εἰσακούω = eisakouō Blue Letter Bible listen to; to hear so as to answer; to give heed to; to listen to, assent to, a request, to be heard, have request granted; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon hearken or give ear to; hear; perceive, feel effect of
cry = δέησις = deēsis Blue Letter Bible an asking, entreaty, supplication, request; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon entreaty, petition
oppressed = πατέω = pateō Blue Letter Bible to trample, crush with the feet; setting foot upon, tread upon; to tread under foot, trample on, i.e. to treat with insult and contempt; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon tread, walk; tread on; tread under foot, trample on
wail Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon supplication
pours out = ἐκχέω = ekcheō Blue Letter Bible Gush; to bestow or distribute largely; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Spilt; squander, waste; spread out; throw down; stream out or forth
complaint = λαλιά = lalia Blue Letter Bible talk, speech; loquacity, talkativeness; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon talk, chat; common talk, report; discussion; speech, conversation; loquacity; a form of speech, dialect
petition—see “cry” above
serves = θεραπεύω = therapeuō Blue Letter Bible to heal, restore to health; to care for the sick, to treat, cure, heal; to serve, do service; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be an attendant, do service; take care of one's person; treat medically; cultivate; mend
willingly = εὐδοκία = eudokia Blue Letter Bible resolve; will, choice; willingness; good will, kindly intent, benevolence; delight, pleasure, satisfaction; a gracious purpose; desire; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon good will; contentment; object of desire
heard = δέχομαι = dechomai Blue Letter Bible deliberate and ready reception; taking with the hand, taking hold, taking hold of, taking up; to receive favourably, give ear to, embrace, make one's own, approve; to take upon one's self, sustain, bear, endure; to learn; to receive, grant access to; not to refuse contact or friendship; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon take, accept; take, accept without complaint; accept graciously; approve; give ear to, hear; take or regard as, understand in a certain sense; take upon oneself; accept or admit as an ally; accept as security, entertain; expect, wait; occupy, engage one; hold
petition—see “cry” above
prayer—see “cry” above
lowly = ταπεινός = tapeinos Blue Letter Bible of low degree or estate; low, lowly; lowly in spirit, humble; base, cast down; that which is low, and does not rise far from the ground; low-lying; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon humbled, abased in power, pride; in low estate or obscurity; mean, low, poor; low-lying, near the earth
Wisdom Principles--Caring for the Weak & Vulnerable
Wisdom Principles--God Loves Humility and Hates Pride
Wisdom Principles--Rely on God, not Material Power or Wealth
Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin
***
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
hears = 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
cry = קָרָא = qārā' Blue Letter Bible to call, cry, utter a loud sound; to proclaim; to read aloud, read (to oneself); the idea of accosting a person met; address by name; call; name, give name to; to call upon or to
poor = עָנִי = ʿānî Blue Letter Bible poor, afflicted, humble, wretched; weak; humble, lowly; depressed in mind or circumstances; needy; meek, mild; oppressed
bless = בָּרַךְ = bāraḵ Blue Letter Bible to kneel; praise, salute; celebrate, adore
praise = תְּהִלָּה = tᵊhillâ Blue Letter Bible song, a hymn; adoration, thanksgiving (paid to God); laudation, glory
glory= 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
lowly = עָנָו = ʿānāv Blue Letter Bible poor, humble, afflicted, meek; lowly; miserable
hear—see “hears” above
be glad = שָׂמַח = samach Blue Letter Bible to rejoice, be glad; to brighten up; blithe or gleesome; cheer up; to gladden, make joyful, exult
just = צַדִּיק = ṣadîq Blue Letter Bible lawful, righteous; righteous (in government); righteous (in conduct and character); righteous (as justified and vindicated by God); honest, virtuous, pious
cry out = צָעַק = ṣāʿaq Blue Letter Bible call, cry for help, cry out, in distress, need; to make outcry, clamour; to call together; to shriek
hears—see above
distress = צָרָה = ṣārâ Blue Letter Bible straits, distress, trouble; tightness; adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble; vexer, rival wife, adversary
rescues = נָצַל = nāṣal Blue Letter Bible to snatch away, deliver, rescue; to be torn out or away; defend; preserve; draw out, pull out
close = קָרוֹב = qārôḇ Blue Letter Bible at hand, nigh, intimate, present
brokenhearted = שָׁבַר = šāḇar Blue Letter Bible to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked, crushed; to break, break in pieces; break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench; rupture; shattered; destroyed, hurt, quenched; thoroughly broken; fractured of limb; maimed, crippled
crushed = דַּכָּא = dakā' Blue Letter Bible crushed (literally powder, or figuratively, contrite); pulverized; broken very small, cast down
saves = יָשַׁע = yāšaʿ Blue Letter Bible to be liberated, be saved, be delivered; to save from moral troubles; to give victory to; to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; to free or succor; defend, help, preserve, rescue; be capacious, make wide, spacious, make sufficient, be or live in abundance; placed in freedom; give width and breadth to, liberate; save from evils and troubles; to be opulent; to set free, preserve
redeems = פָּדָה = pāḏâ Blue Letter Bible to ransom, redeem, rescue, deliver; to release, preserve; loose, set free; let go
servants = עֶבֶד = ʿeḇeḏ Blue Letter Bible slave, servant, man-servant; bondman, (bond-) servant; servant of servants, the lowest servant
incurs guilt = אָשַׁם = 'āšam Blue Letter Bible to offend, be guilty, trespass; do wrong, commit an offense, do injury; to be held guilty, to be incriminated; to suffer punishment, bear one’s guilt; to be desolate, acknowledge offense; fail in duty; punished; laid waste; inflict punishment; requital, fault, guilt, mulct; be or become guilty; declare them guilty
takes refuge = חָסָה = ḥāsâ Blue Letter Bible flee for protection; to put trust in (God), confide or hope in (God); to confide in:—have hope, trust
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles--God is a Refuge for Those Who Love Him
Wisdom Principles--Caring for the weak and Vulnerable
Wisdom Principles--God loves Humility and Hates Pride
***
Reading 2: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
***
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Poured out = σπένδω = spendō Blue Letter Bible offered; to give; to devote; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon make a drink-offering (because before drinking wine a portion was poured on the table, hearth, or altar); dedicate; liquid poured; simply pour; pour libations one with another, and, as this was the custom in making treaties or agreements, make a treaty, make peace
competed = ἀγωνίζομαι = agōnizomai Blue Letter Bible to contend in the public games; laboring fervently; to fight, engage in conflict; to contend with adversaries; to contend perseveringly against opposition and temptation; struggle with difficulties and dangers; to endeavour with strenuous zeal; strive to obtain something; labor fervently; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon contend for a prize; fight; struggle, exert oneself; fight a cause to the last; contend in court
well = 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
finished = τελέω = teleō Blue Letter Bible to carry out a thing to the full; to complete, finish, bring to an end; to go through or over; to pay; to perform; to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.); to pay tribute; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Fulfill, glut, grant one the fulfilment or accomplishment of anything; grant in full, work out; bring to fulfilment or perfection; bring to an end, finish; pay what one owes, what is due; lay out, spend; consume, eat; to belong to a class, to be reckoned among; to be consecrated to
race = δρόμος = dromos Blue Letter Bible metaphorically denotes a career, course of occupation, or of life; a course; the course of life or of office, career; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon course, race; any quick movement; foot-race, as a contest; to run for one's life; contest; lap in a race; public walk
kept = τηρέω =tēreō Blue Letter Bible to guard; to watch over, keep, give heed to, observe; hold fast; to attend to carefully, take care of; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon watch over, take care of, guard; maintain; take care that; give heed to, watch narrowly, observe; notice; test by observation or trial; preserve, retain
faith = πίστις = pistis Blue Letter Bible firm persuasion, a conviction; trust; an assurance; trust and holy fervor; a strong and welcome conviction; belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence); the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things; a power that seizes upon the soul; fidelity, faithfulness; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon Trust; persuasion of a thing, confidence, assurance; credit
crown = στέφανος = stephanos Blue Letter Bible that which surrounds; a token of public honor; a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank; a prize to victors in public games; the reward of the righteousness; an ornament and honour; a badge; more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet; a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon that which surrounds or encompasses; crown, wreath, chaplet; crown of victory at the public games; honorary wreath or crown; prize, reward; crown of glory, honour; badge of office
righteousness = δικαιοσύνη = dikaiosynē Blue Letter Bible integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling and acting; the character or quality of being right or just; it was formerly spelled "rightwiseness"; faithfulness, or truthfulness; the sum total of the requirements of God; right action; state of him who is as he ought to be; the condition acceptable to God; virtue which gives each his due; a state approved of God; manifests itself in beneficence; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon justice, fulfillment of the Law
awaits = ἀπόκειμαι = apokeimai Blue Letter Bible to be laid, reserved; to be laid away, or up; appointed; awaiting; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon to be laid away from; to be laid up in store; for one's use; to be reserved for an occasion
just = δίκαιος = dikaios Blue Letter Bible state of being right, or right conduct, judged whether by the Divine standard, or according to human standards; righteous, observing divine laws; in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God; innocent, faultless, guiltless; equitable; innocent; holy; those whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon observant of custom or rule; well-ordered, civilized; in due form, decently; observant of duty to gods and men, righteous; even, well-balanced, evengoing; lawful, just; meet and right, fitting; genuine
judge = κριτής = kritēs Blue Letter Bible one who passes or arrogates to himself judgment on anything; an arbiter; the leaders or rulers of the Israelites; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon judge, umpire
award = ἀποδίδωμι = apodidōmi Blue Letter Bible to give back or up; to restore, return, render what is due, to pay, give an account; to pay, to make payment; to give back, or in full; restore, return; to yield; to pay off, discharge what is due; to requite, recompense; perform; to put away by giving, to give up, give over; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon give up or back, restore, return; render what is due, pay, as debts, penalties, submission, honour, etc.; assign, refer to; render, yield; concede, allow, suffer or allow; deliver over, give up; give an account or definition of a thing, explain it
all = 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
loved = ἀγαπάω = agapaō Blue Letter Bible to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly; to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing; to take pleasure in the thing, prize it above other things, be unwilling to abandon it or do without it; to welcome with desire, long for; to be full of good-will and exhibit the same; to have a preference for, wish well to, regard the welfare of; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon greet with affection, show affection for; persuade, entreat; to be fond of, prize, desire; to be well pleased, contented; Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words "Love can be known only from the actions it prompts *** this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects; It was an exercise of the [] will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause”
appearing = ἐπιφάνεια = epiphaneia Blue Letter Bible epiphany; shining forth; brightness; appearance; manifestation; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon appearance, day break, dawn; coming into light or view; manifestation, manifestation of divine power; visible surface of a body; outward show, fame, distinction, esp. arising from something unexpected
stood by = παρίστημι = paristēmi Blue Letter Bible to stand by or near, to be at hand; set before; to offer; to place beside, present; to proffer; to provide; to place a person or thing at one's disposal; to bring to or near; to stand by to help, to succor; to stand beside, stand by or near, to be at hand, be present; to be at hand, stand ready; to be at hand for service; commend; yield; to bring into one's fellowship or intimacy; to be present; to have come; to show or prove, to present (show) by argument; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon cause to stand, place beside; set one near a thing to guard it; set before the mind, present; dispose a person; present, offer; set side by side, compare; of a painter's model; stand by, i.e. help, defend; to come; to be near, be at hand; come to the side of another, come over to his opinion; to be passionately devoted to; set by one's side, bring forward, produce; produce as witness; dispose for one's own views or purposes
gave me strength = ἐνδυναμόω = endynamoō Blue Letter Bible to render, make strong; enabled; instrengthened; inwardly strengthened; strength in soul and purpose; increased in strength; endue with strength; empower; to recover strength from weakness or disease; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon strengthen, confirm; endow with vitality
completed = πληροφορέω = plērophoreō Blue Letter Bible to bring in full measure, to fulfill; Complete, Completion, Completely; to bring in full measure; accomplish; to bear or bring full, to make full; to carry through to the end; to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon bring full measure; satisfy fully; fulfil; to be fulfilled; have full satisfaction, to be fully assured; to be fully bent on doing
rescued, rescue = ῥύομαι = rhyomai Blue Letter Bible to rescue from, deliver; preserve from; to draw to one's self; to rush or draw to oneself; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon to draw to oneself, i. e. draw out of danger, to rescue, save, deliver; to save from; to save from an illness, cure; to set free, redeem; to shield, guard, protect; defensive armour; to remove the charges; to draw back, to hold back, check; to keep off
evil = πονηρός = ponēros Blue Letter Bible active form of evil; evil that causes labor, pain, sorrow, malignant evil; bad, worthless, in the physical sense; toilsome, painful; full of labours, annoyances, hardships; bringing toils, annoyances, perils; causing pain and trouble; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon toilsome, painful, grievous; useless, good-for-nothing; injurious; worthless, knavish; base, cowardly
threat = ἔργον = ergon Blue Letter Bible work, employment, task; business, employment, that which any one is occupied; that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking; to work; toil (as an effort or occupation); any product whatever, anything accomplished by hand, art, industry, mind; a benefaction; what harmonizes with the order of society, a good deed, noble action; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon works of industry; tillage, tilled lands; occupations; deed, action; that which is wrought or made, work; result of work, profit or interest; business; hard work, difficult to do
bring me safe = σῴζω = sōzō Blue Letter Bible To heal, make whole; to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue; preserve; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon to save, keep; to save from death, keep alive, preserve; to keep safe; to keep in mind, remember; to carry off safe, rescue from danger
glory = δόξα = doxa Blue Letter Bible opinion, judgment, view, estimate; splendour, brightness; magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace; majesty; most exalted state; honor; absolute perfection; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon the opinion which others have of one, estimation, repute; good repute, honour, glory; glory, splendor, magnificence, celestial beatitude
forever = αἰών = aiōn Blue Letter Bible a period of indefinite duration; an age, a period of time, eternal; forever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity; perpetuity; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon period of existence; long space of time, age
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles—God is a Refuge for Those Who Love Him
Wisdom Principles--Diligence & Working
***
Alleluia: 2 Corinthians 5:19
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ … entrusting to us the message of salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
reconciling = καταλλάσσω = katallassō Blue Letter Bible to change, exchange; to change, exchange, as coins for others of equivalent value; to reconcile (those who are at variance); return to favour with, be reconciled to one; to receive one into favour; ceases to be angry, offended; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon change or give away; exchange one thing for another; change a person from enmity to friendship, reconcile
world = κόσμος = kosmos Blue Letter Bible the world, or the universe, as that which is Divinely arranged; order, arrangement, ornament, adornment; the human race, mankind, the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race; the present condition of human affairs; the sum of temporal possessions, the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc.; the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family; world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly; the majority of men in a place, the multitude or mass (as we say the public); Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon the natural order; order; good order, good behaviour, discipline; ornament, decoration; honour, credit; world-order, universe; earth, as opp. Heaven
entrusting = τίθημι = tithēmi Blue Letter Bible to put, place, stay, lay, set; sink down; settle; to put down, lay down; appointment to any form of service; commit, commission; ordain; purposed; fix, set, establish; to set forth, something to be explained by discourse; to make (or set) for oneself or for one's use; to make one one's own; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon set, put; put in or into; set; lay; put or plant; deposit, as in a bank; pay down, pay; put down in writing; place to account, reckon; set up, dedicate; assign, award; establish, institute; dispose, order, ordain, bring to pass; make the best of one's resources or ; make one something; deem; lay down. assume, hold, reckon or regard as; make, cause, bring to pass; make or prepare for oneself; rest arms, i.e. halt, with arms in an easy position but ready for action; bear arms, fight; keep your arms in good order
us = ἐγώ = egō Blue Letter Bible I, me, my; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon I, for my part, for myself
message = λόγος = logos Blue Letter Bible a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea; the sayings of God; the moral precepts given by God; what is declared, a thought, declaration, aphorism, a weighty saying, a dictum, a maxim; doctrine, teaching; reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating; the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe; a distinct word, intelligible speech; decree, mandate, order; instruction; preaching; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon computation, reckoning; measure; esteem; explanation; statement of a theory, argument, discourse; proposition; rule, principle, law, precept; rule of conduct; thinking, reasoning; idea, thought; continuous statement, narrative; verbal expression or utterance; expression, utterance, speech regarded formally; the Word or Wisdom of God, personified as his agent in creation and world-government
reconciliation = καταλλαγή = katallagē Blue Letter Bible adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favour
Scriptures addressing similar topics are collected at:
Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin
Wisdom Principles--Diligence & Working
***
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.'
But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
convinced = πείθω = peithō Blue Letter Bible yielded to; assure; to have confidence, trust; to suffer oneself to be persuaded; to have confidence, to be confident; influence; win over; bringing about a change of mind; to induce one by words to believe; to tranquillise; move or induce one to do something; to have faith in a thing; to believe; to convince; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon persuade; prevail upon; won over; obey; believe, trust
their own = ἑαυτοῦ = heautou Blue Letter Bible in yourselves, in your own conceits; himself, herself, itself, themselves; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon himself, herself, itself, etc.; itself by itself; his own; one against the other
righteousness = δίκαιος = dikaios Blue Letter Bible state of being right, or right conduct, judged whether by the Divine standard, or according to human standards; righteous, observing divine laws; in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God; innocent, faultless, guiltless; equitable; innocent; holy; those whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon observant of custom or rule; well-ordered, civilized; in due form, decently; observant of duty to gods and men, righteous; even, well-balanced, evengoing; lawful, just; meet and right, fitting; genuine
despised = ἐξουθενέω = exoutheneō Blue Letter Bible to make of no account; to despise; to regard as nothing; to treat with contempt; set at nought; least esteemed
prayer = 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
himself—see “their own” above
at a distance = μακρόθεν = makrothen Blue Letter Bible afar off, from far; from a distance; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon from afar; from long since
raise = 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
beat = τύπτω = typtō Blue Letter Bible a blow; to smite, strike, or beat; to wound, disquiet one's conscience, to offend (the conscience); thump, pummel; repeated blows; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon beat, strike, smite; sting; smote him to the heart; wound his conscience; beat, strike oneself; beat one's breast for grief; mourn; to be beaten, struck, or wounded; receive blows or wounds; get many blows
prayed = λέγω = legō Blue Letter Bible to say, to ask; commanding, or bidding; to call, to call by name; pronouncing, telling or relating; to gather, reckon, account; to tell; affirm over, maintain; to exhort, advise, to command, direct; to call by name, to call, name; to "lay" forth; to asseverate, affirm, aver, maintain; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon to say, speak; declare; to tell one to do; to speak to the point or purpose; to speak (emphatically)
merciful = ἱλάσκομαι = hilaskomai Blue Letter Bible conciliate; propitious; expiate; to appease, conciliate to one's self; gracious; merciful; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon appease; conciliate; expiate; to be merciful, gracious
sinner = ἁμαρτωλός = hamartōlos Blue Letter Bible one who misses the mark; devoted to sin; pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon erroneous; of bad character
justified = δικαιόω = dikaioō Blue Letter Bible to deem to be right; to render … such he ought to be; just or innocent; to declare guiltless one accused or who may be accused; acquit of a charge or reproach; to be absolved; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon set right; hold or deem right ; pronounce judgement; consent; that which is ordained; chastise, punish, pass sentence on; have right done one; pronounce and treat as righteous, justify, vindicate
exalts, exalted = ὑψόω = hypsoō Blue Letter Bible to lift up, to lift up on high; elevate; raise up; exalt; to raise to dignity, honour and happiness; to raise to the very summit of opulence and prosperity; glorify; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon lift high, raise up; elevate, exalt
humbled, humbles = ταπεινόω= tapeinoō Blue Letter Bible to make low, bring low; to abase; to level, reduce to a plain; to bring into a humble condition, reduce to meaner circumstances; to assign a lower rank or place to; to lower, depress; bring down one’s pride; to have a modest opinion of one’s self; to behave in an unassuming manner; devoid of all haughtiness; to be ranked below others who are honored or rewarded; to humble or abase myself, by frugal living; one who stoops to the condition of a servant;to confess and deplore one’s spiritual littleness and unworthiness; to put to the blush;Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon lowering; lessening;reduction of a swelling; humiliation, abasement; low estate, low condition; lowness of style
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at:
Wisdom Principles--Rebuke & Openness to Correction
Wisdom Principles--God Loves Humility and Hates Pride
Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin
***
What these readings tell us about God/our relationship with Him:
God of justice
knows no favorites.
he hears the cry of the oppressed.
not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint
The one who serves God willingly is heard
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds
the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right
the Lord will not delay
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them
from all their distress he rescues them.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day
the Lord stood by me and gave me strength
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
all the Gentiles might hear it
I was rescued from the lion's mouth
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom
To him be glory forever and ever
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
entrusting to us the message of salvation.
the latter went home justified, not the former
whoever exalts himself will be humbled
the one who humbles himself will be exalted
What these readings tell us to do:
wail
pour[] out [your] complaint
petition
serve[] God willingly
prayer
it does not rest till it reaches its goal
cry [out to God]
bless the LORD at all times
his praise shall be ever in [your] mouth
Let [your] soul glory in the LORD
cry [out to God]
[be] just
cry out [to God]
cry [out to God]
[be one of] his servants
take[] refuge in him
cry [out to God]
compete[] well
finish[] the race
ke[eep] the faith.
[seeing that the work God gives you is] completed
beat [your] breast
prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
humble[] [yourself]
What these readings tell us not to do:
[be an] evildoer[]
Desert[] me
[be] convinced of [your] own righteousness
Despise[] everyone else
spoke this prayer to himself
[be] greedy
[be] dishonest
[be] adulterous
Exalt[] [yourself]
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