Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
BOOK I
(Psalms 1–41)
Psalm 1
The Two Ways
1 How happy is the man
who does not follow[a] the advice of the wicked
or take[b] the path of sinners
or join a group[c] of mockers!(A)
2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.(B)
3 He is like a tree planted beside streams of water[d]
that bears its fruit in season[e](C)
and whose leaf does not wither.(D)
Whatever he does prospers.(E)
The Good and the Bad Figs
24 After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had deported Jeconiah[a] son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, the officials of Judah, and the craftsmen and metalsmiths(A) from Jerusalem and had brought them to Babylon, the Lord showed me two baskets of figs(B) placed before the temple of the Lord. 2 One basket contained very good figs, like early figs,(C) but the other basket contained very bad figs, so bad they were inedible. 3 The Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs! The good figs are very good, but the bad figs are extremely bad, so bad they are inedible.”
4 The word of the Lord came to me: 5 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah I sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. 6 I will keep My eyes on them for their good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not demolish them; I will plant them and not uproot them.(D) 7 I will give them a heart to know Me,(E) that I am Yahweh. They will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me with all their heart.(F)
8 “But as for the bad figs, so bad they are inedible,(G) this is what the Lord says: in this way I will deal with king Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem—those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt.(H) 9 I will make them an object of horror(I) and disaster to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace, an object of scorn, ridicule,(J) and cursing, wherever I have banished them. 10 I will send the sword, famine, and plague(K) against them until they have perished from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.”
Collection for the Jerusalem Church
16 Now about the collection(A) for the saints: You should do the same as I instructed the Galatian(B) churches. 2 On the first day of the week,[a](C) each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he prospers, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.(D) 3 When I arrive, I will send with letters(E) those you recommend to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.(F) 4 If it is suitable for me to go as well, they can travel with me.
Paul’s Travel Plans
5 I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia(G)—for I will be traveling through Macedonia— 6 and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. 7 I don’t want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.(H) 8 But I will stay in Ephesus(I) until Pentecost,(J) 9 because a wide door(K) for effective ministry has opened for me[b]—yet many oppose me. 10 If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear from you, because he is doing the Lord’s work,(L) just as I am. 11 Therefore, no one should look down(M) on him. Send him on his way in peace so he can come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.[c]
12 About our brother Apollos:(N) I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.
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