Psalm 126

New International Version

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

¹When the Lord restored^(A) the fortunes of^[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.^[b]
²Our mouths were filled with laughter,^(B)
    our tongues with songs of joy.^(C)
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things^(D) for them.”
³The Lord has done great things^(E) for us,
    and we are filled with joy.^(F)

⁴Restore our fortunes,^[c]^(G) Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.^(H)
⁵Those who sow with tears^(I)
    will reap^(J) with songs of joy.^(K)
⁶Those who go out weeping,^(L)
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

Footnotes

Psalm 126:1 Or Lord brought back the captives to
Psalm 126:1 Or those restored to health
Psalm 126:4 Or Bring back our captives

Isaiah 35:3-7

New International Version

³Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees^(A) that give way;
⁴say^(B) to those with fearful hearts,^(C)
    “Be strong, do not fear;^(D)
your God will come,^(E)
    he will come with vengeance;^(F)
with divine retribution
    he will come to save^(G) you.”

⁵Then will the eyes of the blind be opened^(H)
    and the ears of the deaf^(I) unstopped.
⁶Then will the lame^(J) leap like a deer,^(K)
    and the mute tongue^(L) shout for joy.^(M)
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams^(N) in the desert.
⁷The burning sand will become a pool,
    the thirsty ground^(O) bubbling springs.^(P)
In the haunts where jackals^(Q) once lay,
    grass and reeds^(R) and papyrus will grow.

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Luke 7:18-30

New International Version

Jesus and John the Baptist^(A)

¹⁸John’s^(B) disciples^(C) told him about all these things. Calling two of them, ¹⁹he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

²⁰When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

²¹At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses^(D) and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. ²²So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.^(E) ²³Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

²⁴After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ²⁵If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. ²⁶But what did you go out to see? A prophet?^(F) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’^[b]^(G)

²⁸I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God^(H) is greater than he.”

²⁹(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.^(I) ³⁰But the Pharisees and the experts in the law^(J) rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

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