Psalm 126-128 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.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds^(M) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches^(N) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
²In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food^(O) to eat—
    for he grants sleep^(P) to^[d] those he loves.^(Q)

³Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward^(R) from him.
⁴Like arrows^(S) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.^(T)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents^(U) in court.^(V)

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

¹Blessed are all who fear the Lord,^(W)
    who walk in obedience to him.^(X)
²You will eat the fruit of your labor;^(Y)
    blessings and prosperity^(Z) will be yours.
³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine^(AA)
    within your house;
your children^(AB) will be like olive shoots^(AC)
    around your table.
⁴Yes, this will be the blessing^(AD)
    for the man who fears the Lord.^(AE)

⁵May the Lord bless you from Zion;^(AF)
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem^(AG)
    all the days of your life.
⁶May you live to see your children’s children—^(AH)
    peace be on Israel.^(AI)

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
Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for

Cross references

Psalm 126:1 : Ezr 1:1-3; Ps 85:1; Hos 6:11
Psalm 126:2 : S Ge 21:6
Psalm 126:2 : S Job 8:21; S Ps 65:8
Psalm 126:2 : S Dt 10:21; Ps 71:19; Lk 1:49
Psalm 126:3 : Ps 106:21; Joel 2:21, 26
Psalm 126:3 : S Ps 9:2; 16:11
Psalm 126:4 : S Dt 30:3
Psalm 126:4 : S Ps 107:35; Isa 43:19; 51:3
Psalm 126:5 : Ps 6:6; 80:5; Jer 50:4
Psalm 126:5 : Gal 6:9
Psalm 126:5 : Ps 16:11; 20:5; 23:6; Isa 35:10; 51:11; 60:15; 61:7; Jer 31:6-7, 12
Psalm 126:6 : S Nu 25:6; S Ps 30:5
Psalm 127:1 : Ps 78:69
Psalm 127:1 : Ps 121:4
Psalm 127:2 : S Ge 3:17
Psalm 127:2 : S Nu 6:26; S Job 11:18
Psalm 127:2 : S Dt 33:12; Ecc 2:25
Psalm 127:3 : S Ge 1:28
Psalm 127:4 : Ps 112:2
Psalm 127:5 : Ps 128:2-3
Psalm 127:5 : S Ge 24:60
Psalm 127:5 : S Ge 23:10
Psalm 128:1 : Ps 103:11; S 112:1
Psalm 128:1 : Ps 119:1-3
Psalm 128:2 : S Ps 58:11; 109:11; Isa 3:10
Psalm 128:2 : S Ge 39:3; Pr 10:22
Psalm 128:3 : S Ge 49:22
Psalm 128:3 : S Job 29:5
Psalm 128:3 : Ps 52:8; 144:12
Psalm 128:4 : S Ps 1:1
Psalm 128:4 : Ps 112:1
Psalm 128:5 : S Ps 20:2
Psalm 128:5 : Ps 122:9
Psalm 128:6 : S Ge 48:11
Psalm 128:6 : S Ps 125:5

1 Corinthians 10:19-33 New International Version

¹⁹Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?^(A) ²⁰No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,^(B) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. ²¹You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.^(C) ²²Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?^(D) Are we stronger than he?^(E)

The Believer’s Freedom

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

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

²⁷If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you^(J) without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸But 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.^(K) ²⁹I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom^(L) being judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?^(M)

³¹So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.^(N) ³²Do not cause anyone to stumble,^(O) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God^(P)— ³³even as I try to please everyone in every way.^(Q) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,^(R) so that they may be saved.^(S)