|
READER 2 |
Here is justice by law |
|
READER 3 |
Before a judge |
|
READER 1 |
[Boldly] If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death. |
|
READER 2 |
Anyone who takes the life of someone's animal must make restitution -- life for life. |
|
READER 3 |
If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. |
|
READER 4 |
As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured. |
|
READER 1 |
Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, |
|
READER 2 |
but whoever kills a man must be put to death. |
|
READER 1 |
This is justice |
|
READER 2 |
And it is good and holy. |
|
READER 3 |
Good. |
|
READER 4 |
Holy. |
|
READER 1 |
But judgment and condemnation are for the judge, |
|
READER 2 |
Not the individual; |
|
READER 3 |
For the court, |
|
READER 4 |
Not the vigilante. |
|
READER 3 |
It is not for individuals to take into their own hands. |
|
READER 1 |
"You have heard that it was said ..." |
|
READER 2 |
Droned the Pharisees |
|
READER 1 |
'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' |
|
READER 2 |
To justify their personal hatred |
|
READER 3 |
Their personal retribution |
|
READER 4 |
Their personal vengeance |
|
READER 2 |
In personal relationships |
|
READER 3 |
Not in the courts! |
|
READER 4 |
To justify the venom in their hearts |
|
READER 2 |
Not in cases before a judge. |
|
READER 3 |
Their hearts did not display justice, |
|
READER 4 |
But vengeance; |
|
READER 2 |
Not law, |
|
READER 3 |
But license to hate. |
|
READER 1 |
But I tell you, says Jesus, Do not resist an evil person. |
|
READER 2 |
If someone strikes you on the right cheek, |
|
READER 3 |
turn to him the other also. |
|
READER 4 |
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, |
|
READER 3 |
let him have your cloak as well. |
|
READER 1 |
If someone forces you to go one mile, |
|
READER 2 |
go with him two miles. |
|
READER 3 |
Give to the one who asks you, |
|
READER 4 |
and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. |
|
READER 1 |
Instead of hatred towards your enemy, |
|
READER 2 |
pour out love. |
|
READER 3 |
Instead of vengeance |
|
READER 4 |
Blessing. |
|
READER 1 |
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; |
|
READER 2 |
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. |
|
READER 3 |
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, |
|
READER 4 |
and the Lord will reward you. |
|
READER 1 |
Do not be overcome by evil, |
|
READER 2 |
but overcome evil with good. |
|
READER 3 |
You have heard that it was said, |
|
READER 4 |
Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. |
|
READER 1 |
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. |
|
READER 2 |
Sons of your Father, |
|
READER 3 |
Daughters of your Father, |
|
READER 4 |
Just like your Father in heaven. |
|
READER 1 |
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, |
|
READER 2 |
On the evil, |
|
READER 3 |
And on the good |
|
READER 1 |
And sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. |
|
READER 2 |
On the righteous, |
|
READER 3 |
And the unrighteous. |
|
READER 2 |
He gives to those who love him, |
|
READER 4 |
And he gives to those who hate him. |
|
READER 1 |
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? |
|
READER 2 |
Are not even the tax collectors doing that? |
|
READER 1 |
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? |
|
READER 2 |
Do not even pagans do that? |
|
READER 3 |
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. |
|
READER 4 |
Be perfect? |
|
READER 1 |
Mature. |
|
READER 2 |
Yes, be mature. |
|
READER 3 |
Grow up to maturity in your Father |
|
READER 4 |
Strive for that perfect, mature love that your Father has |
|
READER 2 |
For the righteous |
|
READER 3 |
And the unrighteous. |
|
READER 1 |
Jesus calls us beyond our childish petty hatreds |
|
READER 2 |
And unforgiveness. |
|
READER 3 |
Beyond retaliation |
|
READER 4 |
And vengeance. |
|
READER 1 |
He calls us to God's own maturity of love. |
|
READER 2 |
Be perfect, |
|
READER 3 |
Be perfect |
|
READER 4 |
Be perfect, therefore, |
|
ALL |
As your heavenly Father is perfect. |
on Colossians after Easter
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