Psalm 27

Of David.

Joseph Reassures His Brothers

¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge^(A) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”^{(B) 16} So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions^(C) before he died: ¹⁷ ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins^(D) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’^(E) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.^(F)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.^(G)

¹⁸ His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.^(H) “We are your slaves,”^(I) they said.

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?^{(J) 20} You intended to harm me,^(K) but God intended^(L) it for good^(M) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.^{(N) 21} So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.^(O)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly^(P) to them.

Psalm 138

Of David.

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

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(E) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^{(F) 18} If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(G) 19} Do not take revenge,^(H) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b](I) says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.^{(A) 19} For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(B) to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,^(C) in hope ²¹ that^[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(D) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(E)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(F) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,^(G) groan^(H) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(I) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^(J)

³⁶ Be merciful,^(A) just as your Father^(B) is merciful.

Judging Others^(C)

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.^(D) Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.^{(E) 38} Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.^(F) For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”^(G)

³⁹ He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?^{(H) 40} The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.^(I)

⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.