Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
A Welcome for God into the Temple
A psalm of David.
24 The earth belongs to the Lord, and everything in it—
the world and all its people.
2 He built it on the waters
and set it on the rivers.
3 Who may go up on the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy Temple?
4 Only those with clean hands and pure hearts,
who have not worshiped idols,
who have not made promises in the name of a false god.
5 They will receive a blessing from the Lord;
the God who saves them will declare them right.
6 They try to follow God;
they look to the God of Jacob for help. Selah
7 Open up, you gates.
Open wide, you aged doors
and the glorious King will come in.
8 Who is this glorious King?
The Lord, strong and mighty.
The Lord, the powerful warrior.
9 Open up, you gates.
Open wide, you aged doors
and the glorious King will come in.
10 Who is this glorious King?
The Lord All-Powerful—
he is the glorious King. Selah
8 “The people are returning to you like clouds,
like doves flying to their nests.
9 People in faraway lands are waiting for me.
The great trading ships will come first,
bringing your children from faraway lands,
and with them silver and gold.
This will honor the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
who does wonderful things for you.
10 “Jerusalem, foreigners will rebuild your walls,
and their kings will serve you.
When I was angry, I hurt you,
but now I want to be kind to you and comfort you.
11 Your gates will always be open;
they will not be closed day or night
so the nations can bring their wealth to you,
and their kings will be led to you.
12 The nation or kingdom that doesn’t serve you will be destroyed;
it will be completely ruined.
13 “The great trees of Lebanon will be given to you:
its pine, fir, and cypress trees together.
You will use them to make my Temple beautiful,
and I will give much honor to this place where I rest my feet.
14 The people who have hurt you will bow down to you;
those who hated you will bow down at your feet.
They will call you The City of the Lord,
Jerusalem, city of the Holy One of Israel.
15 “You have been hated and left empty
with no one passing through.
But I will make you great from now on;
you will be a place of happiness forever and ever.
16 You will be given what you need from the nations,
like a child drinking milk from its mother.
Then you will know that it is I, the Lord, who saves you.
You will know that the Powerful One of Jacob protects you.
Luke Writes About Jesus’ Life
1 Many have tried to report on the things that happened among us. 2 They have written the same things that we learned from others—the people who saw those things from the beginning and served God by telling people his message. 3 Since I myself have studied everything carefully from the beginning, most excellent[a] Theophilus, it seemed good for me to write it out for you. I arranged it in order, 4 to help you know that what you have been taught is true.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.