Daily Lectionary Readings for May 30, 2025

Daily Lectionary Readings (Two-Year Cycle)

Daily Lectionary Readings for May 30, 2025 By Daily Lectionary Readings, Friday, May 30, 2025 12:00 AM Morning Psalm 96 1   O sing to the LORD a new song;           sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2   Sing to the LORD, bless his name;           tell of his salvation from day to day. 3   Declare his glory among the nations,           his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4   For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;           he is to be revered above all gods. 5   For all the gods of the peoples are idols,           but the LORD made the heavens. 6   Honor and majesty are before him;           strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7   Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,           ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;           bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9   Worship the LORD in holy splendor;           tremble before him, all the earth. 10  Say among the nations, “The LORD is king!           The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.           He will judge the peoples with equity.” 11  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;           let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12       let the field exult, and everything in it.      Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13       before the LORD; for he is coming,           for he is coming to judge the earth.      He will judge the world with righteousness,           and the peoples with his truth. Morning Psalm 148 1   Praise the Lord!      Praise the Lord from the heavens;           praise him in the heights! 2   Praise him, all his angels;           praise him, all his host! 3   Praise him, sun and moon;           praise him, all you shining stars! 4   Praise him, you highest heavens,           and you waters above the heavens! 5   Let them praise the name of the Lord,           for he commanded and they were created. 6   He established them forever and ever;           he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 7   Praise the Lord from the earth,           you sea monsters and all deeps, 8   fire and hail, snow and frost,           stormy wind fulfilling his command! 9   Mountains and all hills,           fruit trees and all cedars! 10  Wild animals and all cattle,           creeping things and flying birds! 11  Kings of the earth and all peoples,           princes and all rulers of the earth! 12  Young men and women alike,           old and young together! 13  Let them praise the name of the Lord,           for his name alone is exalted;           his glory is above earth and heaven. 14  He has raised up a horn for his people,           praise for all his faithful,           for the people of Israel who are close to him.      Praise the Lord! First Reading Ezekiel 1:28-3:3 1:28Like the bow in a cloud on a rainy day, such was the appearance of the splendor all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.        When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of someone speaking. 2:1He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. 2And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. 3He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. 4The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” 5Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them. 6And you, O mortal, do not be afraid of them, and do not be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words, and do not be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house. 8But you, mortal, hear what I say to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you. 9I looked, and a hand was stretched out to me, and a written scroll was in it. 10He spread it before me; it had writing on the front and on the back, and written on it were words of lamentation and mourning and woe. 3:1He said to me, O mortal, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. 2So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. 3He said to me, Mortal, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it; and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey. Second Reading Hebrews 4:14-5:6 4:14Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 5:1Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; 3and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,      “You are my Son,           today I have begotten you”; 6as he says also in another place,      “You are a priest forever,           according to the order of Melchizedek.” Gospel Reading Luke 9:28-36 28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — not knowing what he said. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. Evening Psalm 49 1   Hear this, all you peoples;           give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2   both low and high,           rich and poor together. 3   My mouth shall speak wisdom;           the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4   I will incline my ear to a proverb;           I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp. 5   Why should I fear in times of trouble,           when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 6   those who trust in their wealth           and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7   Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life,           there is no price one can give to God for it. 8   For the ransom of life is costly,           and can never suffice, 9   that one should live on forever           and never see the grave. 10   When we look at the wise, they die;           fool and dolt perish together           and leave their wealth to others. 11   Their graves are their homes forever,           their dwelling places to all generations,           though they named lands their own. 12  Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;           they are like the animals that perish. 13  Such is the fate of the foolhardy,           the end of those who are pleased with their lot. Selah 14  Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;           Death shall be their shepherd;      straight to the grave they descend,           and their form shall waste away;           Sheol shall be their home. 15  But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,           for he will receive me. Selah 16  Do not be afraid when some become rich,           when the wealth of their houses increases. 17  For when they die they will carry nothing away;           their wealth will not go down after them. 18  Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy           — for you are praised when you do well for yourself — 19  they will go to the company of their ancestors,           who will never again see the light. 20  Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;           they are like the animals that perish. Evening Psalm 138 1   I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;           before the gods I sing your praise; 2   I bow down toward your holy temple           and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;           for you have exalted your name and your word           above everything. 3   On the day I called, you answered me,           you increased my strength of soul. 4   All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD,           for they have heard the words of your mouth. 5   They shall sing of the ways of the LORD,           for great is the glory of the LORD. 6   For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly;           but the haughty he perceives from far away. 7   Though I walk in the midst of trouble,           you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;      you stretch out your hand,           and your right hand delivers me. 8   The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;           your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.           Do not forsake the work of your hands. 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Bible Readings for May 30, 2025

 

Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are 2 Samuel 15:23–16:23; John 18:25–19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; and Proverbs 16:10-11. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.  

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2 Samuel 15:23-16:23 (Contemporary English Version)

David Sends the Sacred Chest Back to Jerusalem

 ²³The people of Jerusalem were crying and moaning as David and everyone with him passed by. He led them across Kidron Valley ^{a<="" value="[a]" >[]} and along the road toward the desert. ²⁴Zadok and Abiathar the priests were there along with several men from the tribe of Levi who were carrying the sacred chest. They set the chest down, and left it there until David and his followers had gone out of the city.     ²⁵Then David said: 
   Zadok, take the sacred chest back to Jerusalem. If the LORD is pleased with me, he will bring me back and let me see it and his tent again. ²⁶But if he says he isn't pleased with me, then let him do what he knows is best. 
    ²⁷Zadok, you are a good judge of things, ^[b<="">] so return to the city and don't cause any trouble. Take your son Ahimaaz with you. Abiathar and his son Jonathan will also go back. ²⁸I'll wait at the river crossing in the desert until I hear from you. ²⁹Zadok and Abiathar took the sacred chest back into Jerusalem and stayed there. ³⁰David went on up the slope of the Mount of Olives. He was barefoot and crying, and he covered his head to show his sorrow. Everyone with him was crying, and they covered their heads too. 
    ³¹Someone told David, "Ahithophel is helping Absalom plot against you!" 
   David said, "Please, LORD, keep Ahithophel's plans from working!"     

David Sends Hushai Back as a Spy

 ³²When David reached the top of the Mount of Olives, he met Hushai the Archite ^[c<="">] at a place of worship. Hushai's robe was torn, and dust was on his head. ^[d<="">] 33David told him: If you come with me, you might slow us down. ^[e<="">] 34Go back into the city and tell Absalom, "Your Majesty, I am your servant. I will serve you now, just as I served your father in the past." Hushai, if you do that, you can help me ruin Ahithophel's plans. ³⁵Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there with you, and you can tell them everything you hear in the palace. ³⁶Then have them send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what you've heard.     ³⁷David's advisor Hushai slipped back into Jerusalem, just about the same time that Absalom was coming in. 
    

2 Samuel 16

Ziba Gives Food to David

 ¹David had started down the other side of the Mount of Olives, when he was met by Ziba, the chief servant of Mephibosheth. ^[f<="">] Ziba had two donkeys that were carrying two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred handfuls of raisins, a hundred figs, ^[g<="">] and some wine. ²"What's all this?" David asked.    Ziba said, "The donkeys are for your family to ride. The bread and fruit are for the people to eat, and the wine is for them to drink in the desert when they are tired out." 
    ³"And where is Mephibosheth?" David asked. 
   Ziba answered, "He stayed in Jerusalem, because he thinks the people of Israel want him to rule the kingdom of his grandfather Saul." 
    ⁴David then told him, "Everything that used to belong to Mephibosheth is now yours." 
   Ziba said, "Your Majesty, I am your humble servant, and I hope you will be pleased with me."     

Shimei Curses David

 ⁵David was near the town of Bahurim when a man came out and started cursing him. The man was Shimei the son of Gera, and he was one of Saul's distant relatives. ⁶He threw stones at David, at his soldiers, and at everyone else, including the bodyguards who walked on each side of David.     ⁷Shimei was yelling at David, "Get out of here, you murderer! You good-for-nothing, ⁸the LORD is paying you back for killing so many in Saul's family. You stole his kingdom, but now the LORD has given it to your son Absalom. You're a murderer, and that's why you're in such big trouble!" 
    ⁹Abishai said, "Your Majesty, this man is as useless as a dead dog! He shouldn't be allowed to curse you. Let me go over and chop off his head." 
    ¹⁰David replied, "What will I ever do with you and your brother Joab? If Shimei is cursing me because the LORD has told him to, then who are you to tell him to stop?" 
    ¹¹Then David said to Abishai and all his soldiers: 
   My own son is trying to kill me! Why shouldn't this man from the tribe of Benjamin want me dead even more? Let him curse all he wants. Maybe the LORD did tell him to curse me. ¹²But if the LORD hears these curses and sees the trouble I'm in, maybe he will have pity on me instead. 
    ¹³David and the others went on down the road. Shimei went along the hillside by the road, cursing and throwing rocks and dirt at them. ¹⁴When David and those with him came to the Jordan River, they were tired out. But after they rested, they ^[h<="">] felt much better. 

Hushai Meets Absalom

 ¹⁵By this time, Absalom, Ahithophel, and the others had reached Jerusalem. ¹⁶David's friend Hushai came to Absalom and said, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"     ¹⁷But Absalom asked Hushai, "Is this how you show loyalty to your friend David? Why didn't you go with him?" 
    ¹⁸Hushai answered, "The LORD and the people of Israel have chosen you to be king. I can't leave. I have to stay and serve the one they've chosen. ¹⁹Besides, it seems right for me to serve you, just as I served your father."     

Ahithophel's Advice

 ²⁰Absalom turned to Ahithophel and said, "Give us your advice! What should we do?"     ²¹Ahithophel answered, "Some of your father's wives ^[i<="">] were left here to take care of the palace. You should have sex with them. Then everyone will find out that you have publicly disgraced your father. This will make you and your followers even more powerful." ²²Absalom had a tent set up on the flat roof of the palace, and everyone watched as he went into the tent with his father's wives. 
    ²³Ahithophel gave such good advice in those days that both Absalom and David thought it came straight from God. 
    

Footnotes:

1. 2 Samuel 15:23 Kidron Valley: This was considered the eastern boundary of Jerusalem.
2. 2 Samuel 15:27 you. . . things: Or "You are a prophet" or "You are not a prophet."
3. 2 Samuel 15:32 Archite: The Archites were part of the tribe of Benjamin (see Joshua 16.2).
4. 2 Samuel 15:32 Hushai's. . . head: See the note at 1.2.
5. 2 Samuel 15:33 you might slow us down: Hushai was probably very old.
6. 2 Samuel 16:1 chief servant of Mephibosheth: See 9.1-13.
7. 2 Samuel 16:1 figs: Or "pomegranates," a bright red fruit that looks like an apple.
8. 2 Samuel 16:14 they: Hebrew "he."
9. 2 Samuel 16:21 wives: See the note at 3.7.

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John 18:25-19:22 (Contemporary English Version)

Peter Again Denies that He Knows Jesus

(Matthew 26.71-75; Mark 14.69-72; Luke 22.58-62)

 ²⁵While Simon Peter was standing there warming himself, someone asked him, "Aren't you one of Jesus' followers?"   Again Peter denied it and said, "No, I am not!" 
    ²⁶One of the high priest's servants was there. He was a relative of the servant whose ear Peter had cut off, and he asked, "Didn't I see you in the garden with that man?" 
    ²⁷Once more Peter denied it, and right then a rooster crowed.     

Jesus Is Tried by Pilate

(Matthew 27.1,2,11-14; Mark 15.1-5; Luke 23.1-5)

 ²⁸It was early in the morning when Jesus was taken from Caiaphas to the building where the Roman governor stayed. But the crowd waited outside. Any of them who had gone inside would have become unclean and would not be allowed to eat the Passover meal. ^{a<="" value="[a]" >[] 29}Pilate came out and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"     ³⁰They answered, "He is a criminal! That's why we brought him to you." 
    ³¹Pilate told them, "Take him and judge him by your own laws." 
   The crowd replied, "We are not allowed to put anyone to death." ³²And so what Jesus said about his death ^[b<="">]would soon come true. ³³Pilate then went back inside. He called Jesus over and asked, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
    ³⁴Jesus answered, "Are you asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me?" 
    ³⁵"You know I'm not a Jew!" Pilate said. "Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have you done?" 
    ³⁶Jesus answered, "My kingdom doesn't belong to this world. If it did, my followers would have fought to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. No, my kingdom doesn't belong to this world." 
    ³⁷"So you are a king," Pilate replied. 
   "You are saying that I am a king," Jesus told him. "I was born into this world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth knows my voice." 
    ³⁸Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" 
   Pilate went back out and said, "I don't find this man guilty of anything! 

Jesus Is Sentenced to Death

(Matthew 27.15-31; Mark 15.6-20; Luke 23.13-25)

 ³⁹And since I usually set a prisoner free for you at Passover, would you like for me to set free the king of the Jews?"     ⁴⁰They shouted, "No, not him! We want Barabbas." Now Barabbas was a terrorist. ^[c<="">] 

John 19

 ¹Pilate gave orders for Jesus to be beaten with a whip. ²The soldiers made a crown out of thorn branches and put it on Jesus. Then they put a purple robe on him. ³They came up to him and said, "Hey, you king of the Jews!" They also hit him with their fists.     ⁴Once again Pilate went out. This time he said, "I will have Jesus brought out to you again. Then you can see for yourselves that I have not found him guilty." 
    ⁵Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, "Here is the man!" ^[d<="">] 6When the chief priests and the temple police saw him, they yelled, "Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!" 
   Pilate told them, "You take him and nail him to a cross! I don't find him guilty of anything." 
    ⁷The crowd replied, "He claimed to be the Son of God! Our Jewish Law says that he must be put to death." 
    ⁸When Pilate heard this, he was terrified. ⁹He went back inside and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer. 
    ¹⁰"Why won't you answer my question?" Pilate asked. "Don't you know that I have the power to let you go free or to nail you to a cross?" 
    ¹¹Jesus replied, "If God had not given you the power, you couldn't do anything at all to me. But the one who handed me over to you did something even worse." 
    ¹²Then Pilate wanted to set Jesus free. But the crowd again yelled, "If you set this man free, you are no friend of the Emperor! Anyone who claims to be a king is an enemy of the Emperor." 
    ¹³When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out. Then he sat down on the judge's bench at the place known as "The Stone Pavement." In Aramaic this pavement is called "Gabbatha." ¹⁴It was about noon on the day before Passover, and Pilate said to the crowd, "Look at your king!" 
    ¹⁵"Kill him! Kill him!" they yelled. "Nail him to a cross!" 
   "So you want me to nail your king to a cross?" Pilate asked. 
   The chief priests replied, "The Emperor is our king!" ¹⁶Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be nailed to a cross. 
   Jesus was taken away, 

Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross

(Matthew 27.32-44; Mark 15.21-32; Luke 23.26-43)

 ¹⁷and he carried his cross to a place known as "The Skull." ^[e<="">] In Aramaic this place is called "Golgotha." ¹⁸There Jesus was nailed to the cross, and on each side of him a man was also nailed to a cross. ¹⁹Pilate ordered the charge against Jesus to be written on a board and put above the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." ²⁰The words were written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.    The place where Jesus was taken wasn't far from the city, and many of the Jewish people read the charge against him. ²¹So the chief priests went to Pilate and said, "Why did you write that he is King of the Jews? You should have written, `He claimed to be King of the Jews.' " 
    ²²But Pilate told them, "What is written will not be changed!" 
    

Footnotes:

1. John 18:28 would have become unclean and would not be allowed to eat the Passover meal: Jewish people who came in close contact with foreigners right before Passover were not allowed to eat the Passover meal.
2. John 18:32 about his death: Jesus had said that he would die by being " lifted up," which meant that he would die on a cross. The Romans killed criminals by nailing them on a cross, but they did not let the Jews kill anyone in this way.
3. John 18:40 terrorist: Someone who stirred up trouble against the Romans in the hope of gaining freedom for the Jewish people.
4. John 19:5 " Here is the man!" : Or " Look at the man!"
5. John 19:17 The Skull: The place was probably given this name because it was near a large rock in the shape of a human skull.

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Psalm 119:113-128 (Contemporary English Version)

¹¹³I hate anyone 
   whose loyalty is divided, 
   but I love your Law. 
    ¹¹⁴You are my place of safety 
   and my shield. 
   Your word is my only hope. 
    ¹¹⁵All of you worthless people, 
   get away from me! 
   I am determined to obey 
   the commands of my God. 
    ¹¹⁶Be true to your word, LORD. 
   Keep me alive and strong; 
   don't let me be ashamed 
   because of my hope. 
    ¹¹⁷Keep me safe and secure, 
   so that I will always 
   respect your laws. 
    ¹¹⁸You reject all deceitful liars 
   because they refuse 
   your teachings. 
    ¹¹⁹As far as you are concerned, 
   all evil people are ^{a<="" value="[a]" >[]} garbage, and so I follow your rules. 
    ¹²⁰I tremble all over 
   when I think of you 
   and the way you judge. 
    ¹²¹I did what was fair and right! 
   Don't hand me over to those 
   who want to mistreat me. 
    ¹²²Take good care of me, 
   your servant, 
   and don't let me be harmed 
   by those conceited people. 
    ¹²³My eyes are weary from waiting 
   to see you keep your promise 
   to come and save me. 
    ¹²⁴Show your love for me, 
   your servant, 
   and teach me your laws. 
    ¹²⁵I serve you, 
   so let me understand 
   your teachings. 
    ¹²⁶Do something, LORD! 
   They have broken your Law. 
    ¹²⁷Your laws mean more to me 
   than the finest gold. 
    ¹²⁸I follow all of your commands, ^[b<="">] but I hate anyone 
   who leads me astray. 
    

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 119:119 As far as. . . are: A few Hebrew manuscripts and ancient translations. Most Hebrew manuscripts have " You get rid of evil people as if they were."
2. Psalm 119:128 I. . . commands: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

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Proverbs 16:10-11 (Contemporary English Version)

¹⁰Rulers speak with authority
   and are never wrong.
    ¹¹The LORD doesn't like it
   when we cheat in business.

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Thought for the Day

 

“I praise your promises! I trust you and am not afraid. No one can harm me.” (Psalm 56:4 - Contemporary English Version) For Christians, trust and fear move in opposite directions. As our faith in God's power and promises increase, the fear we might feel as we face an unknown future goes down.

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Quote for the Day

Progressive American writer and intellectual, Randolph Bourne wrote, "Few people even scratch the surface, much less exhaust the contemplation of their own experience."

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Joke for Today

A young man watched as an elderly couple sat down to lunch at McDonald's. He noticed that they had ordered just one meal, and an extra large drink. As he watched, the old gentleman carefully divided the hamburger in half, then counted out the fries, one for him, one for her, etc, until each had exactly half.

Then the old man poured half of the soft drink into the extra cup and set that in front of his wife. The old man then began to eat, but his wife just sat watching him.

The young man felt sorry for them and asked "I'm sorry to intrude, but would you allow me to purchase another meal for your wife so that you don't have to split your food?"

The old gentleman said, "Oh, no, thank you. But you see, we've been married a long time, and everything has always been shared, 50/50."

The young man said, "Wow! That's commendable." He then turned to the wife and asked, "Aren't you going to eat your share?"

The wife replied "Not yet. It's his turn to use the teeth."

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A Prayer Request

As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.

That peace be restored in the Middle East.