Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁸ ¶ I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace unto his people and to his saints, that they not turn again to folly.

⁹ Surely his saving health is near those that fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

¹⁰ Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

¹¹ Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from the heavens.

¹² The LORD shall give that which is good, and our land shall bring forth her fruit.

¹³ Righteousness shall go before him and shall set his steps in the way.

⁶ Thus hath the LORD said: For three transgressions of Israel and for the fourth, I will not convert her because they sold the righteous for silver and the poor for a pair of shoes,

⁷ desiring that there be dust of the earth upon the head of the poor, and to twist the way of the humble: and the man and his father have gone in unto the same maid, profaning my holy name:

⁸ and they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by any altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.

⁹ ¶ Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as an oak; yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots beneath.

¹⁰ Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you forty years through the wilderness that you might possess the land of the Amorite.

¹¹ And I raised up of your sons for prophets and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye sons of Israel? said the LORD.

¹² But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, Do not prophesy.

¹³ Behold, I will press you in your place, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves.

¹⁴ Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver his soul:

¹⁵ neither shall he that handles the bow stand; and he that is swift of foot shall not escape: neither shall he that rides the horse save his life.

¹⁶ And he that is strong among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, said the LORD.

2 ¶ For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

² that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in charity and in all the riches of the fulfilled understanding to know the mystery of the God and Father and of the Christ;

³ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

⁴ ¶ And this I say lest anyone should beguile you with enticing words.

⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.