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Psalm 2

God’s Promise to His Anointed

Why do the nations conspire,
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

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Psalm 2

Why do the nations conspire[a]
    and the peoples plot(A) in vain?
The kings(B) of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed,(C) saying,

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 Hebrew; Septuagint rage

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord has them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.”

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The One enthroned(A) in heaven laughs;(B)
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger(C)
    and terrifies them in his wrath,(D) saying,
“I have installed my king(E)
    on Zion,(F) my holy mountain.(G)

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[a] The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
    on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
    and the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
    and all the garments rolled in blood
    shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
    a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
    and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
    and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
    He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 9:2 Ch 9.1 in Heb

The people walking in darkness(A)
    have seen a great light;(B)
on those living in the land of deep darkness(C)
    a light has dawned.(D)
You have enlarged the nation(E)
    and increased their joy;(F)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.(G)
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,(H)
    you have shattered(I)
the yoke(J) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,(K)
    the rod of their oppressor.(L)
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,(M)
    will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,(N)
    to us a son is given,(O)
    and the government(P) will be on his shoulders.(Q)
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor,(R) Mighty God,(S)
    Everlasting(T) Father,(U) Prince of Peace.(V)
Of the greatness of his government(W) and peace(X)
    there will be no end.(Y)
He will reign(Z) on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice(AA) and righteousness(AB)
    from that time on and forever.(AC)
The zeal(AD) of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

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Psalm 96

Praise to God Who Comes in Judgment

O sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
    tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
    The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
    He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12     let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13     before the Lord; for he is coming,
    for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with his truth.

Psalm 96(A)

Sing to the Lord(B) a new song;(C)
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;(D)
    proclaim his salvation(E) day after day.
Declare his glory(F) among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds(G) among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;(H)
    he is to be feared(I) above all gods.(J)
For all the gods of the nations are idols,(K)
    but the Lord made the heavens.(L)
Splendor and majesty(M) are before him;
    strength and glory(N) are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord,(O) all you families of nations,(P)
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering(Q) and come into his courts.(R)
Worship the Lord(S) in the splendor of his[a] holiness;(T)
    tremble(U) before him, all the earth.(V)
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.(W)
    The world is firmly established,(X) it cannot be moved;(Y)
    he will judge(Z) the peoples with equity.(AA)

11 Let the heavens rejoice,(AB) let the earth be glad;(AC)
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest(AD) sing for joy.(AE)
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
    he comes to judge(AF) the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness(AG)
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 96:9 Or Lord with the splendor of

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,[a] 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior,[b] Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

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Footnotes

  1. Titus 2:11 Or has appeared to all, bringing salvation
  2. Titus 2:13 Or of the great God and our Savior

11 For the grace(A) of God has appeared(B) that offers salvation to all people.(C) 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions,(D) and to live self-controlled,(E) upright and godly lives(F) in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing(G) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,(H) 14 who gave himself for us(I) to redeem us from all wickedness(J) and to purify(K) for himself a people that are his very own,(L) eager to do what is good.(M)

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The Birth of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:11 Or the Christ
  2. Luke 2:13 Gk army
  3. Luke 2:14 Other ancient authorities read peace, goodwill among people

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J) 12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(A) 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(B) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(C) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

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He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
    the victory of our God.

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He has remembered(A) his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth(B) have seen
    the salvation of our God.(C)

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Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

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Shout for joy(A) to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;

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The Lord has made known his victory;
    he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.

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The Lord has made his salvation known(A)
    and revealed his righteousness(B) to the nations.(C)

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Psalm 95

A Call to Worship and Obedience

O come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

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Psalm 95

Come,(A) let us sing for joy(B) to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud(C) to the Rock(D) of our salvation.

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O come, let us worship and bow down,
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

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Come, let us bow down(A) in worship,(B)
    let us kneel(C) before the Lord our Maker;(D)

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