Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;(A)
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.(B)
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;(C)
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.(D)
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;(E)
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.(F)
10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;(G)
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb.(H)
11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.(I)
12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.(J)
13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;(K)
do not let them rule over me.(L)
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.(M)
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,(N)
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.(O)
The Law Written on Stones
27 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, “Keep every command I am giving you today. 2 At the time you cross the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, you must set up large stones and cover them with plaster.(A) 3 Write all the words of this law on the stones after you cross to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey,(B) as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised you. 4 When you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to cover them with plaster. 5 Build an altar of stones there to the Lord your God—you must not use any iron tool on them.(C) 6 Use uncut stones to build the altar of the Lord your God and offer burnt offerings to the Lord your God on it. 7 There you are to sacrifice fellowship offerings, eat, and rejoice in the presence of the Lord your God. 8 Write clearly all the words of this law on the plastered stones.”
The Covenant Curses
9 Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10 Obey the Lord your God and follow His commands and statutes I am giving you today.”
Believers Are Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.(A)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.(B) 15 No one lights a lamp(C) and puts it under a basket,[a] but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.(D) 16 In the same way, let your light shine[b] before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.(E)
Christ Fulfills the Law
17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.(F) 18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter[c] or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.(G) 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
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