Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Psalm 111
Praise for the Lord’s Works
1 Hallelujah![a]
I will praise the Lord with all my heart
in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.(A)
2 The Lord’s works are great,
studied by all who delight in them.(B)
3 All that He does is splendid and majestic;(C)
His righteousness endures forever.(D)
4 He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered.(E)
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.(F)
5 He has provided food for those who fear Him;(G)
He remembers His covenant forever.(H)
6 He has shown His people the power of His works
by giving them the inheritance of the nations.(I)
7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;
all His instructions are trustworthy.(J)
8 They are established forever and ever,
enacted in truth and in what is right.(K)
9 He has sent redemption to His people.(L)
He has ordained His covenant forever.
His name is holy and awe-inspiring.(M)
Abraham’s Three Visitors
18 Then the Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre(A) while he was sitting in the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day. 2 He looked up, and he saw three men standing near him.(B) When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed to the ground. 3 Then he said, “My lord,[a] if I have found favor in your sight, please do not go on past your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 I will bring a bit of bread so that you may strengthen yourselves.[b] This is why you have passed your servant’s way. Later, you can continue on.”
“Yes,” they replied, “do as you have said.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Knead three measures[c] of fine flour and make bread.”[d] 7 Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man, who hurried to prepare it. 8 Then Abraham took curds[e] and milk, and the calf that he had prepared, and set them before the men. He served[f] them as they ate under the tree.
Sarah Laughs
9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.
“There, in the tent,” he answered.
10 The Lord said, “I will certainly come back to you in about a year’s time, and your wife Sarah will have a son!”(C) Now Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.
11 Abraham and Sarah were old and getting on in years.[g] Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.[h](D) 12 So she laughed to herself: “After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I have delight?”(E)
13 But the Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old?’ 14 Is anything impossible for the Lord?(F) At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”
15 Sarah denied it. “I did not laugh,” she said, because she was afraid.
But He replied, “No, you did laugh.”
Appreciation of Support
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again(A) you renewed your care for me.(B) You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.(C) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him[a] who strengthens me.(D) 14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.
15 And you Philippians(E) know that in the early days of the gospel,(F) when I left Macedonia,(G) no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica(H) you sent gifts for my need(I) several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit[b](J) that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full,(K) and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus(L) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing(M) to God. 19 And my God(N) will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father(O) be glory forever and ever.(P) Amen.(Q)
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