Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
8 I will hearken what the Lord God will say: for he will speak [a]peace unto his people, and to his Saints, that they turn not again to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth shall meet, righteousness and peace shall kiss one another.
11 [b]Truth shall bud out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yea, the Lord shall give good things, and our land shall give her increase.
13 [c]Righteousness shall go before him, and shall set her steps in the way.
3 He reproveth the house of Israel of ingratitude. 11 For the which God will punish them.
1 Hear this word that the Lord pronounceth against you, O children of Israel, even against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
2 You [a]only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit you for all your iniquities.
3 Can two walk together except they be [b]agreed?
4 Will a [c]lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? or will a lion’s whelp cry out of his den, if he hath taken nothing?
5 [d]Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no fowler is? or will he take up the [e]snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
6 Or [f]shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people be not afraid? or shall there [g]be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he [h]revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets.
8 The lion hath roared: who will not be afraid? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but [i]prophesy?
9 Proclaim in the palaces at [j]Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria: so behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.
10 For they know not to do right, saith the Lord: they store up violence, and robbery [k]in their palaces.
11 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, An adversary shall come even round about the country, and shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.
12 Thus saith the Lord, As the shepherd taketh [l]out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear: so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed: and in [m]Damascus, as in a couch.
2 (A)[a][b]Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving,
3 (B)[c]Praying also for us, that God may open unto us the [d]door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ: wherefore I am also in bonds,
4 That I may utter it, as it becometh me to speak.
5 ¶ (C)[e]Walk [f]wisely toward them that are without, and redeem the [g]season.
6 [h]Let your speech be [i]gracious always, and powdered with [j]salt, that ye may know how to answer every man.
7 ¶ Tychicus our beloved brother and faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, shall declare unto you my whole state:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that he might know your state, and might comfort your hearts,
9 With Onesimus a faithful and a beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall show you of all things here.
10 Aristarchus my prison fellow saluteth you, and Marcus, Barnabas’s cousin (touching whom ye received commandments: If he come unto you, receive him.)
11 And Jesus which is called Justus, which are of the circumcision. These [k]only are my work-fellows unto the [l]kingdom of God, which have been unto my consolation.
12 Epaphras the servant of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, and always striveth for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect, and full in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and for them of Laodicea, and them of Hierapolis,
14 (D)Luke the beloved physician greeteth you, and Demas.
15 Salute the brethren which are of Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the Church which is in his house.
16 And when this Epistle is read of you, cause that it be read in the Church of the Laodiceans also, and that ye likewise read the Epistle written from Laodicea,
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry, that thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bands. Grace be with you, Amen.
¶ Written from Rome to the Colossians, and sent by Tychicus, and Onesimus.
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