Psalm 141

A psalm of David.

²¹ “I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay on them.^{(A) 22} From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. ²³ And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.^{(B) 24} I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them.^(C)

²⁵ “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob^[a](D) and will have compassion^(E) on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name.^{(F) 26} They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety^(G) in their land with no one to make them afraid.^{(H) 27} When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.^{(I) 28} Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them^(J) to their own land, not leaving any behind.^{(K) 29} I will no longer hide my face^(L) from them, for I will pour out my Spirit^(M) on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.^(N)”

The Temple Area Restored

40 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city^(O)—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me^(P) and he took me there. ² In visions^(Q) of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain,^(R) on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. ³ He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze;^(S) he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod^(T) in his hand. ⁴ The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you,^(U) for that is why you have been brought here. Tell^(V) the people of Israel everything you see.^(W)”

The Believer’s Freedom

²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.^(A) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.^(B)

²⁵ Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,^{(C) 26} for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”^[a](D)

²⁷ If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you^(E) without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.^{(F) 29} I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom^(G) being judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰ If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?^(H)

³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.^{(I) 32} Do not cause anyone to stumble,^(J) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God^(K)— ³³ even as I try to please everyone in every way.^(L) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,^(M) so that they may be saved.^(N) 11 ¹ Follow my example,^(O) as I follow the example of Christ.^(P)