Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
18 The boy Samuel served in the Lord’s presence(A) and wore a linen ephod.(B) 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe(C) and took it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.(D) 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife:(E) “May the Lord give you children by this woman in place of the one she[a] has given to the Lord.”(F) Then they would go home.
26 By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.(A)
Psalm 148
Creation’s Praise of the Lord
1 Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise Him in the heights.(A)
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
praise Him, all His hosts.(B)
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
praise Him, all you shining stars.(C)
4 Praise Him, highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.(D)
5 Let them praise the name of Yahweh,
for He commanded, and they were created.(E)
6 He set them in position forever and ever;
He gave an order that will never pass away.(F)
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
all sea monsters and ocean depths,(G)
8 lightning[a] and hail, snow and cloud,
powerful wind that executes His command,(H)
9 mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,(I)
10 wild animals and all cattle,
creatures that crawl and flying birds,(J)
11 kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all judges of the earth,(K)
12 young men as well as young women,
old and young together.(L)
13 Let them praise the name of Yahweh,
for His name alone is exalted.
His majesty covers heaven and earth.(M)
14 He has raised up a horn for His people,
resulting in praise to all His godly ones,
to the Israelites, the people close to Him.(N)
Hallelujah!
The Christian Life
12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved,(A) put on heartfelt compassion, kindness,(B) humility,(C) gentleness,(D) and patience,(E) 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.(F) 14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called(G) in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. 16 Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name(H) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
In His Father’s House
41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.(A) 42 When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.(B) 43 After those days were over,(C) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents[a] did not know it. 44 Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him,(D) “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”(E)
49 “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”[b] 50 But they did not understand what He said to them.(F)
In Favor with God and with People
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.(G) 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.(H)
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