Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
BOOK I (Psalms 1-41)
The Righteous and the Wicked[a]
1 How blessed is the person,
who does not take[b] the advice of the wicked,
who does not stand on the path with sinners,
and who does not sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But he delights in the Lord’s instruction,[c]
and meditates in his instruction[d] day and night.
3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
yielding its fruit in its season,
and whose leaf does not wither.
He will prosper in everything he does.
10 “For this is what the Lord says: ‘When Babylon’s seventy years are completed, I’ll take note of you and will fulfill my good promises to you by bringing you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for well-being, and not for calamity, in order to give you a future and a hope. 12 When you call out to me and come and pray to me, I’ll hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. 14 I’ll be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I’ll restore your security[a] and gather you from all the nations and all the places to which I’ve driven you,’ declares the Lord. ‘I’ll bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.’
15 “Indeed, you have said, ‘The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon.’
16 “But this is what the Lord says about the king who sits on David’s throne, and about the people who live in this city—your brothers who didn’t go with you into exile: 17 This is what the Lord says: ‘I’m about to send the sword, famine, and plague on them, and I’ll make them like rotten figs that cannot be eaten because they’re so bad. 18 I’ll pursue them with the sword, with famine, and with plague, and I’ll make them a horrifying sight to all the kingdoms of the earth. I’ll make them[b] a curse, an object of horror, and scorn,[c] and a desolation in all the nations to which I’ve driven them, 19 because they didn’t listen to my words,’ declares the Lord. ‘When I sent my servants, the prophets, to you again and again,[d] you didn’t listen,’ declares the Lord.
Final Instructions
13 Remain alert. Keep standing firm in your faith. Keep on being courageous and strong. 14 Everything you do should be done lovingly. 15 Now I urge you, brothers—for you know that the members of the family of Stephanas were the first converts[a] in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to serving the saints— 16 to submit yourselves to people like these and to anyone else who shares their labor and hard work. 17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus came here, because what was lacking they have supplied through you. 18 They refreshed my spirit—and yours, too. Therefore, appreciate men like that.
Final Greetings
19 The churches in Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca[b] and the church in their house greet you warmly in union with the Lord. 20 All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.[c] 21 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.
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