Psalm 26
by David

1 Vindicate me, O LORD, 
for I have led a blameless life; 
I have trusted in the LORD 
without wavering.

2 Test me, O LORD, and try me, 
examine my heart and my mind; 

3 for your love is ever before me, 
and I walk continually in your truth. 

4 I do not sit with deceitful men, 
nor do I consort with hypocrites; 

5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers 
and refuse to sit with the wicked. 

6 I wash my hands in innocence, 
and go about your altar, O LORD, 

7 proclaiming aloud your praise 
and telling of all your wonderful deeds. 

8 I love the house where you live, O LORD, 
the place where your glory dwells. 

9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners, 
my life with bloodthirsty men, 

10 in whose hands are wicked schemes, 
whose right hands are full of bribes. 

11 But I lead a blameless life; 
redeem me and be merciful to me. 

12 My feet stand on level ground; 
in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.

Isaiah 50:4-11

4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, 
to know the word that sustains the weary. 
He wakens me morning by morning, 
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. 

5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, 
and I have not been rebellious; 
I have not drawn back. 

6 I offered my back to those who beat me, 
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; 
I did not hide my face 
from mocking and spitting. 

7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, 
I will not be disgraced. 
Therefore have I set my face like flint, 
and I know I will not be put to shame. 

8 He who vindicates me is near. 
Who then will bring charges against me? 
Let us face each other! 
Who is my accuser? 
Let him confront me! 

9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. 
Who is he that will condemn me? 
They will all wear out like a garment; 
the moths will eat them up. 

10 Who among you fears the LORD 
and obeys the word of his servant? 
Let him who walks in the dark, 
who has no light, 
trust in the name of the LORD 
and rely on his God. 

11 But now, all you who light fires 
and provide yourselves with flaming torches, 
go, walk in the light of your fires 
and of the torches you have set ablaze. 
This is what you shall receive from my hand: 
You will lie down in torment.

Matthew 5:25-26

25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Luke 18:1-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 
4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " 

6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"