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.
3 ¶ Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O sons of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore, I will visit all your iniquities against you.
3 Can two walk together except they be agreed?
4 Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den if he has taken nothing?
5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth without a fowler? Shall the snare rise up from the earth and have taken nothing at all?
6 Shall the shofar be blown in the city and the people not be afraid? Shall there be any evil in the city which the LORD has not done?
7 Because the Lord GOD will do nothing unless he reveals his secret to his slaves the prophets.
8 The lion has roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD has spoken, who can but prophesy?
9 ¶ Publish upon the palaces of Ashdod and upon the palaces of the land of Egypt and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria and behold the great oppression in the midst thereof and the great violence in the midst thereof.
10 For they do not know to do right, said the LORD, storing up violence and robbery in their palaces.
11 Therefore thus said the Lord GOD: An adversary there shall be even round about the land, and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
12 Thus hath the LORD said: As the pastor takes out of the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so shall the sons of Israel escape that dwell in Samaria in the corner of the bed and at the border of the couch.
2 ¶ Persevere in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving,
3 praying also together for us that God would open unto us the door of the word, to speak the mystery of the Christ, for which I am also in bonds,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 ¶ Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, winning the occasion.
6 Let your word be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
7 ¶ All my affairs shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother and a faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord,
8 whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your affairs and comfort your hearts,
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all the things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellowprisoner, salutes you, and Mark, nephew to Barnabas, (concerning whom ye have received commandments, if he comes unto you, receive him),
11 and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ, salutes you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand firm, perfect and fulfilled in all the will of God.
13 For I bear witness of him, that he has a great zeal for you and those that are in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren who are in Laodicea and Nymphas and the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} of the Laodiceans, and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to fulfil the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
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