Isaiah 11:1-5

New International Version

The Branch From Jesse

11 A shoot^(A) will come up from the stump^(B) of Jesse;^(C)
    from his roots a Branch^(D) will bear fruit.^(E)
²The Spirit^(F) of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom^(G) and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,^(H)
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
³and he will delight in the fear^(I) of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,^(J)
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;^(K)
⁴but with righteousness^(L) he will judge the needy,^(M)
    with justice^(N) he will give decisions for the poor^(O) of the earth.
He will strike^(P) the earth with the rod of his mouth;^(Q)
    with the breath^(R) of his lips he will slay the wicked.^(S)
⁵Righteousness will be his belt^(T)
    and faithfulness^(U) the sash around his waist.^(V)

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Romans 12:9-16

New International Version

Love in Action

⁹Love must be sincere.^(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^(B) ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love.^(C) Honor one another above yourselves.^(D) ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,^(E) serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope,^(F) patient in affliction,^(G) faithful in prayer.^(H) ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.^(I) Practice hospitality.^(J)

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you;^(K) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.^(L) ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another.^(M) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.^(N)

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Footnotes

Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work

Luke 1:39-45

New International Version

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,^(A) ⁴⁰where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.^(B) ⁴²In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,^(C) and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord^(D) should come to me? ⁴⁴As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

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Luke 1:46-56

New International Version

Mary’s Song^(A)

⁴⁶And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord^(B)
⁴⁷    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,^(C)
⁴⁸for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.^(D)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,^(E)
⁴⁹    for the Mighty One has done great things^(F) for me—
    holy is his name.^(G)
⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.^(H)
⁵¹He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;^(I)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.^(J)
⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.^(K)
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things^(L)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful^(M)
⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants^(N) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”