Psalm 122

Common English Bible

Psalm 122

A pilgrimage song. Of David.

122 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let’s go to the Lord’s house!”
²Now our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem!

³Jerusalem is built like a city
    joined together in unity.
⁴That is where the tribes go up—
    the Lord’s tribes!
It is the law for Israel
    to give thanks there to the Lord’s name,
⁵    because the thrones of justice are there—
    the thrones of the house of David!

⁶Pray that Jerusalem has peace:
    “Let those who love you have rest.
⁷    Let there be peace on your walls;
    let there be rest on your fortifications.”
⁸For the sake of my family and friends,
    I say, “Peace be with you, Jerusalem.”
⁹For the sake of the Lord our God’s house
    I will pray for your good.

Acts 15:1-6

Common English Bible

The Jerusalem Council

15 Some people came down from Judea teaching the family of believers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom we’ve received from Moses, you can’t be saved.” ²Paul and Barnabas took sides against these Judeans and argued strongly against their position.

The church at Antioch appointed Paul, Barnabas, and several others from Antioch to go up to Jerusalem to set this question before the apostles and the elders. ³The church sent this delegation on their way. They traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling stories about the conversion of the Gentiles to everyone. Their reports thrilled the brothers and sisters. ⁴When they arrived in Jerusalem, the church, the apostles, and the elders all welcomed them. They gave a full report of what God had accomplished through their activity. ⁵Some believers from among the Pharisees stood up and claimed, “The Gentiles must be circumcised. They must be required to keep the Law from Moses.”

⁶The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter.

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John 15:1-8

Common English Bible

I am the true vine

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. ²He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. ³You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. ⁶If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.