Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
The two paths[a]
1 If someone does not do what wicked people tell him to do,
if he does not join with sinners,
if he does not meet with those who laugh at God,
God has blessed that person!
2 He is happy when he obeys the Law of the Lord.[b]
He thinks about God's Law during the day and at night.
3 He will become like a tree that grows beside streams of water.
It gives its fruit at the right season.
Its leaves do not fall off.
Everything that person does will have a good result.
4 But wicked people are as empty as chaff.
The wind blows them away.[c]
5 So they will not go free when God judges them.
Sinners cannot join with God's people,
the people who are right with God.[d]
6 The Lord takes care of people who respect him.
But wicked people are living in a way that will take them to a bad end.
10 The Lord says, ‘You will live in Babylon for 70 years. Then I will choose to help you. I will be kind to you, as I promised. I will bring you back here to your home. 11 I, the Lord, tell you this: I have decided what I will do for you. I have plans to help you to do well. I do not want to hurt you. I want to give you hope for a good life in the future. 12 At that time, when you call out to me for help, I will hear your prayers. 13 You will want to find me, and I will be ready to meet with you. If you really want to find me, 14 I will be there for you.’ That is what the Lord says. ‘I will bring you back from the nations and all the places where I sent you as prisoners. You will no longer have to live in those foreign places.’[a]
15 You may say, ‘The Lord has chosen prophets to bring his message to us here in Babylon.’ 16 But listen to what the Lord says about the people who are still here in Jerusalem. The enemy did not take them with you as prisoners to Babylon. That includes the king who now rules David's kingdom.[b] 17 The Lord Almighty says, ‘I will send war, famine and disease to hurt them. They will be like bad figs that nobody can eat. 18 I will use war, famine and disease to chase them away from their homes. I will send them to live among other nations. The people of all the nations in the world will see how disgusting they are. People will use their names as a curse. They will see how foolish they are and they will laugh at them. 19 I will do that because they have not listened to my message. I sent my servants, the prophets, to speak to them many times, but the people in Jerusalem refused to listen.’ That is what the Lord says.
The Lord also says, ‘You people of Judah who are now in Babylon have not listened to my message either.
Paul finishes his letter
13 Watch carefully for danger. Never stop trusting God. Continue to be brave and strong. 14 Whatever you do, do it with love.
15 My Christian friends, you know about Stephanas and his family. They were the first people in Achaia to become Christians.[a] They have worked hard as God's servants to help his people. So I say this to you. 16 You must respect people like them. Do what they say. And also respect everyone who works hard to serve God together with them.
17 I was very happy when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived here. You could not be here yourselves, but they have taken your place. 18 They have helped me to feel stronger, as they also did for you. You should recognize the authority of people like them.
19 The churches here in Asia region say ‘hello’ to you. Aquila and Priscilla, and the group of believers that meets in their house, also say ‘hello’ to you. They love you because you belong to the Lord, as they do. 20 All the Christians here say ‘hello’ to you.
When you meet, kiss each other as Christian brothers and sisters.
21 I, Paul, am writing these words at the end of this letter with my own hand. I say ‘hello’ to you.
22 If anyone among you does not really love the Lord, I pray that God will curse that person.
Our Lord, come now! We are waiting for you!
23 I pray that the Lord Jesus will continue to be kind to all of you.
24 I love all of you who belong to Christ Jesus, as I do.
EasyEnglish Bible Copyright © MissionAssist 2019 - Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1162807. Used by permission. All rights reserved.