Psalm 129-131

New International Version

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

¹“They have greatly oppressed^(A) me from my youth,”^(B)
    let Israel say;^(C)
²“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory^(D) over me.
³Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
⁴But the Lord is righteous;^(E)
    he has cut me free^(F) from the cords of the wicked.”^(G)

⁵May all who hate Zion^(H)
    be turned back in shame.^(I)
⁶May they be like grass on the roof,^(J)
    which withers^(K) before it can grow;
⁷a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,^(L)
    nor one who gathers fill his arms.
⁸May those who pass by not say to them,
    “The blessing of the Lord be on you;
    we bless you^(M) in the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

¹Out of the depths^(N) I cry to you,^(O) Lord;
² Lord, hear my voice.^(P)
Let your ears be attentive^(Q)
to my cry for mercy.^(R)

³If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?^(S)
⁴But with you there is forgiveness,^(T)
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.^(U)

⁵I wait for the Lord,^(V) my whole being waits,^(W)
    and in his word^(X) I put my hope.
⁶I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen^(Y) wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.^(Z)

⁷Israel, put your hope^(AA) in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love^(AB)
    and with him is full redemption.^(AC)
⁸He himself will redeem^(AD) Israel
    from all their sins.^(AE)

Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

¹My heart is not proud,^(AF) Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;^(AG)
I do not concern myself with great matters^(AH)
    or things too wonderful for me.^(AI)
²But I have calmed and quieted myself,^(AJ)
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.^(AK)

³Israel, put your hope^(AL) in the Lord
both now and forevermore.^(AM)

2 Corinthians 9

New International Version

9 There is no need^(A) for me to write to you about this service^(B) to the Lord’s people.^(C) ²For I know your eagerness to help,^(D) and I have been boasting^(E) about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year^(F) you in Achaia^(G) were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³But I am sending the brothers^(H) in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be.^(I) ⁴For if any Macedonians^(J) come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. ⁵So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers^(K) to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift,^(L) not as one grudgingly given.^(M)

Generosity Encouraged

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.^(N) ⁷Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,^(O) not reluctantly or under compulsion,^(P) for God loves a cheerful giver.^(Q) ⁸And God is able^(R) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,^(S) you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts^(T) to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]^(U)

¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food^(V) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.^(W) ¹¹You will be enriched^(X) in every way so that you can be generous^(Y) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.^(Z)

¹²This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs^(AA) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.^(AB) ¹³Because of the service^(AC) by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God^(AD) for the obedience that accompanies your confession^(AE) of the gospel of Christ,^(AF) and for your generosity^(AG) in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God^(AH) for his indescribable gift!^(AI)