¹Now the Lᴏʀᴅ spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, ²“This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. ³Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. ⁴And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. ⁵Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. ⁶Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. ⁷And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. ⁸Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. ⁹Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. ¹⁰You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. ¹¹And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lᴏʀᴅ’s Passover. ¹²For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lᴏʀᴅ. ¹³Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. ¹⁴So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lᴏʀᴅ throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. ¹⁵Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. ¹⁶On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat—that only may be prepared by you. ¹⁷So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. ¹⁸In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. ¹⁹For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. ²⁰You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’ ” ²¹Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. ²²And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. ²³For the Lᴏʀᴅ will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lᴏʀᴅ will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. ²⁴And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. ²⁵It will come to pass when you come to the land which the Lᴏʀᴅ will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. ²⁶And it shall be, when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ ²⁷that you shall say, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lᴏʀᴅ, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.’ “ So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. ²⁸Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the Lᴏʀᴅ had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. ²⁹And it came to pass at midnight that the Lᴏʀᴅ struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. ³⁰So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. ³¹Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lᴏʀᴅ as you have said. ³²Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” ³³And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” ³⁴So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. ³⁵Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. ³⁶And the Lᴏʀᴅ had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. ³⁷Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. ³⁸A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. ³⁹And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. ⁴⁰Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. ⁴¹And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lᴏʀᴅ went out from the land of Egypt. ⁴²It is a night of solemn observance to the Lᴏʀᴅ for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lᴏʀᴅ, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. ⁴³And the Lᴏʀᴅ said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it. ⁴⁴But every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. ⁴⁵A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it. ⁴⁶In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. ⁴⁷All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. ⁴⁸And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lᴏʀᴅ, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. ⁴⁹One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.” ⁵⁰Thus all the children of Israel did; as the Lᴏʀᴅ commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. ⁵¹And it came to pass, on that very same day, that the Lᴏʀᴅ brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies.

¹Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. ²And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” ³So He spoke this parable to them, saying: ⁴“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ⁷I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. ⁸“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ ¹⁰Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” ¹¹Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹²And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. ¹³And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. ¹⁴But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. ¹⁷But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ‘ ²⁰And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²²But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. ²⁵Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ ²⁸But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. ³⁰But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ ³¹And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. ³²It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

¹“But now they mock at me, men younger than I, Whose fathers I disdained to put with the dogs of my flock. ²Indeed, what profit is the strength of their hands to me? Their vigor has perished. ³They are gaunt from want and famine, Fleeing late to the wilderness, desolate and waste, ⁴Who pluck mallow by the bushes, And broom tree roots for their food. ⁵They were driven out from among men, They shouted at them as at a thief. ⁶They had to live in the clefts of the valleys, In caves of the earth and the rocks. ⁷Among the bushes they brayed, Under the nettles they nestled. ⁸They were sons of fools, Yes, sons of vile men; They were scourged from the land. ⁹“And now I am their taunting song; Yes, I am their byword. ¹⁰They abhor me, they keep far from me; They do not hesitate to spit in my face. ¹¹Because He has loosed my bowstring and afflicted me, They have cast off restraint before me. ¹²At my right hand the rabble arises; They push away my feet, And they raise against me their ways of destruction. ¹³They break up my path, They promote my calamity; They have no helper. ¹⁴They come as broad breakers; Under the ruinous storm they roll along. ¹⁵Terrors are turned upon me; They pursue my honor as the wind, And my prosperity has passed like a cloud. ¹⁶“And now my soul is poured out because of my plight; The days of affliction take hold of me. ¹⁷My bones are pierced in me at night, And my gnawing pains take no rest. ¹⁸By great force my garment is disfigured; It binds me about as the collar of my coat. ¹⁹He has cast me into the mire, And I have become like dust and ashes. ²⁰“I cry out to You, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You regard me. ²¹But You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You oppose me. ²²You lift me up to the wind and cause me to ride on it; You spoil my success. ²³For I know that You will bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living. ²⁴“Surely He would not stretch out His hand against a heap of ruins, If they cry out when He destroys it. ²⁵Have I not wept for him who was in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor? ²⁶But when I looked for good, evil came to me; And when I waited for light, then came darkness. ²⁷My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; Days of affliction confront me. ²⁸I go about mourning, but not in the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry out for help. ²⁹I am a brother of jackals, And a companion of ostriches. ³⁰My skin grows black and falls from me; My bones burn with fever. ³¹My harp is turned to mourning, And my flute to the voice of those who weep.

¹Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: ²On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. ³And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me. ⁵Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). ⁶And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. ⁸But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. ¹⁰Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. ¹¹Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren. ¹²Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time. ¹³Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. ¹⁴Let all that you do be done with love. ¹⁵I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— ¹⁶that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. ¹⁷I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. ¹⁸For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. ¹⁹The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. ²⁰All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. ²¹The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s. ²²If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! ²³The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ²⁴My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.