Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

BOOK II (Psalms 42-72)

To the Director: An instruction^[a] of the Sons of Korah.

Hope in God When Times of Trouble Come

The Vision of the Temple River

47 After this, he brought me back to the doorway to the Temple. To my amazement, there was water flowing out toward the east from beneath the threshold of the Temple! (The Temple faced eastward.) The water flowed down from beneath the right side of the Temple,^[a] that is, from the south-facing side where the altar was located. ² Then he brought me out through the north gateway and around to the one outside that faces toward the east. To my amazement, water was trickling out from that part of^[b] the south side, too!

³ As the man went out toward the east, he carried a measuring line in his hand. He measured out 1,000 cubits^[c] as he led me through water that was ankle-deep. ⁴ Then he measured out another 1,000 cubits,^[d] where he led me through water that was knee-deep. And then he measured out another 1,000 cubits,^[e] where the water was waist-deep. ⁵ When he had measured out another 1,000 cubits,^[f] the water had become deep enough that I wasn’t able to ford it. Instead, I would have had to swim through it.

⁶ Then, as he was bringing me back along the river bank, he asked me, “Son of Man, did you see all of this?” ⁷ As we were coming back, I was amazed to see that there were many, many trees lining both banks of the river. ⁸ He told me, “This river flows toward the eastern territories all the way down into the Arabah,^[g] and from there its water flows toward the Dead^[h] Sea, where the sea water turns fresh. ⁹ It will support all kinds of living creatures that will thrive abundantly wherever the river flows. There will be a great many fish, because this water will flow there and turn the salt water fresh. As a result, everything will live wherever the river flows. ¹⁰ A day will come when fishermen will line its banks—from En-gedi to En-eglaim^[i] there will be plenty of room to spread out nets. There will be all sorts of species of fish, as abundant as the fish that live in the Mediterranean^[j] Sea. There will be lots of them!

¹¹ “The river delta^[k] will consist of swamps and marshes that will remain a salt water wetland preserve. ¹² Lining each side of the river banks, all sorts of species of fruit trees will be growing. Their leaves will never wither and their fruit will never fail. They will bear fruit every month, because the water that nourishes them will be flowing from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves will contain substances that promote healing.”

Advice to the Readers

¹⁷ But you, dear friends, must remember the statements and predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.^{[a] 18} They kept telling you, “In the last times there will be mockers, following their own ungodly desires.”^{[b] 19} These are the people who cause divisions. They are worldly, devoid of the Spirit.

²⁰ But you, dear friends, must continue to build your most holy faith for your own benefit. Furthermore, continue to pray in the Holy Spirit. ²¹ Remain in God’s love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah,^[c] which brings eternal life. ²² Show mercy to those who have doubts. ²³ Save others by snatching them from the fire. To others, show mercy with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their sinful lives.^[d]

Final Prayer

²⁴ Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling and to make you stand joyful and faultless in his glorious presence, ²⁵ to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus the Messiah,^[e] our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time and for all eternity! Amen.