Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

116 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

² For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.

²² But Josue said to the two men that had been sent for spies: Go into the harlot's house, and bring her out, and all things that are hers, as you assured her by oath.

²³ And the young men went in and brought out Rahab, and her parents, her brethren also and all her goods and her kindred, and made them to stay without the camp.

²⁴ But they burned the city, and all things that were therein; except the gold and silver, and vessels of brass and iron, which they consecrated into the treasury of the Lord.

²⁵ But Josue saved Rahab the harlot and her father's house, and all she had, and they dwelt in the midst of Israel until this present day: because she hid the messengers whom he had sent to spy out Jericho. At that time, Josue made an imprecation, saying:

²⁶ Cursed be the man before the Lord, that shall raise up and build the city of Jericho. In his firstborn may he lay the foundation thereof, and in the last of his children set up its gates.

²⁷ And the Lord was with Josue, and his name was noised throughout all the land.

²³ And when he was come into the temple, there came to him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and ancients of the people, saying: By what authority dost thou these things? and who hath given thee this authority?

²⁴ Jesus answering, said to them: I also will ask you one word, which if you shall tell me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.

²⁵ The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? But they thought within themselves, saying:

²⁶ If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from men, we are afraid of the multitude: for all held John as a prophet.

²⁷ And answering Jesus, they said: We know not. He also said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

²⁸ But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

²⁹ And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went.

³⁰ And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering, said: I go, Sir; and he went not.

³¹ Which of the two did the father's will? They say to him: The first. Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you, that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you.

³² For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.