Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
68 “Blessed be the Lord God[a] of Israel, because He visited us and accomplished[b] redemption for His people, 69 and raised-up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant (70 just as He spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets from the past age[c]), 71 a salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all the ones hating us, 72 so as to show mercy to[d] our fathers and remember[e] His holy covenant (73 the oath which He swore to Abraham our father)— that He might grant to us that 74 having been delivered from the hand of our enemies, we might be serving[f] Him fearlessly 75 in holiness and righteousness before Him for all our days. 76 And indeed you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most-High. For you will go before the Lord so as to prepare His ways[g], 77 that you might give[h] His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins 78 because of the deep-feelings-of mercy of our God, with which[i] the rising[j] Sun from on-high will visit us 79 so as to shine-upon the ones sitting in darkness and a shadow of death, that He might direct[k] our feet into the way of peace”.
18 What indeed does it matter except that[a] in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed!
Christ Will Be Magnified In Me, Whether I Live or Die
And I am rejoicing in this. But I also will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn-out for me for deliverance through your prayer and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 in-accordance-with my eager-expectation and hope that I will in no way be put-to-shame, but that with all boldness, as always, even now Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death— 21 for to me, the living is Christ, and the dying[b] is gain.
Death Would Be Much Better For Me, But I Know I Will Continue To Live For Your Sake
22 Now if it is the living in the flesh, this for me means fruit from work. And I do not know[c] what I shall choose, 23 but am gripped[d] by the two— having the desire that I might depart and be with Christ, for that is better by much more, 24 but the remaining in the flesh is more-necessary for your sake. 25 And being confident-of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your advancement and joy of faith, 26 in order that your boast may be abounding in Christ Jesus in me through my presence again with you.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing