Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

126 When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like those who dream.

² Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joy. Then they said among the heathen, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

³ The LORD has done great things for us! We rejoice!

⁴ O LORD, bring back our captives as the rivers in the south.

⁵ Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.

⁶ They went weeping and carried precious seed. They shall return with joy and bring their sheaves. A song of degrees, or Psalm, of Solomon

²⁴ ‘You shall also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,

²⁵ “Thus speaks the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, saying: ‘Because you have sent letters in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah, the son of Maaseiah the Priest, and to all the priests, saying,

²⁶ “The LORD has made you Priest instead of Jehoiada the Priest, so that there should be an officer in the House of the LORD for every man who raves and makes himself a prophet, to put him in prison and in the stocks.”

²⁷ ‘Now, therefore, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who prophesies to you?

²⁸ ‘Because, for this reason he sent to us in Babel, saying, “This captivity is long. Build houses to dwell in, and plant gardens, and eat the fruits of them.”’”

²⁹ And Zephaniah the Priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the Prophet.

³⁰ Then the Word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,

³¹ “Send to all them of the captivity, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of Shemaiah the Nehelamite: “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, and I did not send him, and he caused you to trust in a lie,

³² “therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I will reckon with Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his seed. He shall not have a man to dwell among this people, nor shall he behold the good that I will do for My people,” says the LORD, “because he has spoken rebelliously against the LORD.”’”

²² And He came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Him and asked Him to touch him.

²³ Then he took the blind by the hand and led him out of the town; and spit in his eyes and put His hands upon him and asked him if he saw anything.

²⁴ And he looked up, and said, “I see men, walking, like trees.”

²⁵ After that, He put his hands upon his eyes again and made him look again. And his sight was restored. And he saw everyone clearly from far way.

²⁶ And He sent him home to his house, saying, “Do not go into the town. And do not tell of this to anyone in the town.”