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

Proverbs 28:19-20

New International Version

¹⁹Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.^(A)

²⁰A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.^(B)

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John 10:14-21

New International Version

¹⁴“I am the good shepherd;^(A) I know my sheep^(B) and my sheep know me— ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father^(C)—and I lay down my life for the sheep.^(D) ¹⁶I have other sheep^(E) that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock^(F) and one shepherd.^(G) ¹⁷The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life^(H)—only to take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.^(I) I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”^(J)

¹⁹The Jews who heard these words were again divided.^(K) ²⁰Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed^(L) and raving mad.^(M) Why listen to him?”

²¹But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon.^(N) Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”^(O)

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Revelation 2:1-7

New International Version

To the Church in Ephesus

2 “To the angel^[a] of the church in Ephesus^(A) write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand^(B) and walks among the seven golden lampstands.^(C) ²I know your deeds,^(D) your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested^(E) those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.^(F) ³You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name,^(G) and have not grown weary.

⁴Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.^(H) ⁵Consider how far you have fallen! Repent^(I) and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand^(J) from its place. ⁶But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans,^(K) which I also hate.

⁷Whoever has ears, let them hear^(L) what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious,^(M) I will give the right to eat from the tree of life,^(N) which is in the paradise^(O) of God.

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