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)
10 For this is what the Lord says: “When 70 years for Babylon are complete,(A) I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you”(B)—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.(C) 13 You will seek Me(D) and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes[a](E) and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place I deported you from.”(F)
15 You have said, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon!” 16 But this is what the Lord says concerning the king sitting on David’s throne and concerning all the people living in this city—that is, concerning your brothers who did not go with you into exile. 17 This is what the Lord of Hosts says: “I am about to send against them sword, famine, and plague(G) and will make them like rotten figs that are inedible because they are so bad. 18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse and a desolation, an object of scorn and a disgrace among all the nations where I have banished them.(H) 19 I will do this because they have not listened to My words”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“that I sent to them with My servants the prophets time and time again.[b](I) And you too have not listened.” This is the Lord’s declaration.
Final Exhortation
13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith,(A) act like a man, be strong. 14 Your every action must be done with love.(B)
15 Brothers, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits(C) of Achaia(D) and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you 16 also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. 17 I am pleased to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit(E) and yours. Therefore recognize(F) such people.
Conclusion
19 The churches of Asia(G) greet you.(H) Aquila and Priscilla(I) greet you warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home.(J) 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.(K)
21 This greeting is in my own hand[a](L)—Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Marana tha that is, Lord, come![b] 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.(M) 24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.
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