EPISTLE Amos 7:7-15                                                   Cindy

7. This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; 9. the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”

10. Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. 11. For thus Amos has said, “Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.’ “ 12. And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; 13. but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.” 14. Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15. and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

NEW TESTAMENT Luke 10:25-37                               Buck

25. Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26. He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27. He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28. And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29. But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30. Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35. The next day he took out two denarii, {The denarius was the usual day's wage for a laborer} gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’

36. Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37. He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”