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24  Then they scorned the Promised Land ♦︎
   and would not believe his word,
25  But murmured in their tents ♦︎
   and would not heed the voice of the Lord.
26  So he lifted his hand against them ♦︎
   and swore to overthrow them in the wilderness,
27  To disperse their descendants among the nations, ♦︎
   and to scatter them throughout the lands.
28  They joined themselves to the Baal of Peor ♦︎
   and ate sacrifices offered to the dead.
29  They provoked him to anger with their evil deeds ♦︎
   and a plague broke out among them.
30  Then Phinehas stood up and interceded ♦︎
   and so the plague was stayed.
31  This was counted to him for righteousness ♦︎
   throughout all generations for ever.
32  They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, ♦︎
   so that Moses suffered for their sake;
33  For they so embittered his spirit ♦︎
   that he spoke rash words with his lips.
34  They did not destroy the peoples ♦︎
   as the Lord had commanded them.
35  They mingled with the nations ♦︎
   and learned to follow their ways,
36  So that they worshipped their idols, ♦︎
   which became to them a snare.
37  Their own sons and daughters ♦︎
   they sacrificed to evil spirits.
38  They shed innocent blood, ♦︎
   the blood of their sons and daughters,
39  Which they offered to the idols of Canaan, ♦︎
   and the land was defiled with blood.
40  Thus were they polluted by their actions, ♦︎
   and in their wanton deeds went whoring after other gods.
41  Therefore was the wrath of the Lord
      kindled against his people, ♦︎
   and he abhorred his inheritance.
42  He gave them over to the hand of the nations, ♦︎
   and those who hated them ruled over them.
43  So their enemies oppressed them ♦︎
   and put them in subjection under their hand.
44  Many a time did he deliver them,
      but they rebelled through their own devices ♦︎
   and were brought down through their wickedness.
45  Nevertheless, he saw their adversity, ♦︎
   when he heard their lamentation.
46  He remembered his covenant with them ♦︎
   and relented according to the greatness of his faithful love.
47  He made them also to be pitied ♦︎
   by all who had taken them captive.
48  Save us, O Lord our God,
      and gather us from among the nations, ♦︎
   that we may give thanks to your holy name
      and glory in your praise.
49  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
      from everlasting and to everlasting; ♦︎
   and let all the people say, Amen.
      Alleluia.

The Good Fight of Faith

11 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made^* the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.