Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

As a Father Has Compassion

Psalm 103

Harlot, Hear the Word of Adonai

16 The word of Adonai came to me saying: ² “Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her abominations ³ and say, thus says Adonai to Jerusalem: ‘Your origin and your birth are from the land of the Canaanite; your father was an Amorite, your mother was a Hittite. ⁴ As for your birth, on the day you were born your umbilical cord was not cut nor were you washed in water for cleansing. You were never rubbed with salt nor were you swaddled at all. ⁵ No eye pitied you enough to do any of these things to you out of compassion. Instead you were cast out in the open field, for you were detested on the day you were born.

⁶ “When I passed by you, and saw you kicking in your blood. I said to you, ‘In your blood, live!’ Yes, I said to you, ‘In your blood, live!’ ⁷ I made you grow as myriads, like a branch of the field. You grew up, got tall and came to full adornment. Your breasts were formed, your hair sprouted. Yet you were naked and bare.

⁸ “Again I passed by and saw you, and behold, you were truly at the time of love. I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I swore to you and entered into a covenant with you,” says Adonai. “So you became Mine. ⁹ Then I washed you with water, rinsed off your blood from on you and anointed you with oil. ¹⁰ I clothed you with embroidery and put sandals of fine leather on you. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. ¹¹ I adorned you with jewelry, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace on your neck. ¹² I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears and a crown of glory on your head. ¹³ So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your raiment was of fine linen, silk and embroidery. You ate fine flour, honey and oil. You became exceedingly beautiful, and advanced to the kingdom. ¹⁴ Your fame spread among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect, through My splendor, which I bestowed on you.” It is a declaration of Adonai.

No One Is Acceptable

3 Then what is the advantage of being Jewish? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? ² Much in every way. First of all, they were entrusted with the sayings of God. ³ So what if some did not trust? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? ⁴ May it never be! Let God be true even if every man is a liar, as it is written,

⁵ But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God is not unrighteous to inflict wrath, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) ⁶ May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? ⁷ But if by my lie the truth of God abounds to His glory, why am I still judged as a sinner? ⁸ And why not say, “Let us do evil, so that good may come”—just as we are being slandered and as some claim that we say. Their condemnation is deserved!