Psalm 126-128
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 126
A Harvest of Joy
A Song of Ascents.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,[a]
we were like those who dream.(A)
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”(B)
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.(C)
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.(D)
5 May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.(E)
6 Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Psalm 127
God’s Blessings in the Home
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
the guard keeps watch in vain.(F)
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil,
for he gives sleep to his beloved.[b](G)
3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.(H)
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has
his quiver full of them.
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.(I)
Psalm 128
The Happy Home of the Faithful
A Song of Ascents.
1 Happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways.(J)
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.(K)
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.(L)
4 Thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:19-33
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
19 What do I imply, then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what they[a] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.(A) 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.(B) 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?(C)
Do All to the Glory of God
23 “All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other.(D) 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.”(E) 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience?(F) 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?(G)
31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.(H) 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,(I) 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved.(J)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 10.20 Other ancient authorities read the gentiles
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.