Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
19 The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament shows the work of His Hands.
2 Day unto day utters the same, and night unto night teaches knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone forth through all the earth; and their words into the ends of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the Sun,
5 which comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoices like a mighty man to run his race.
6 His going out is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit is to the ends of the same, and nothing is hidden from the heat thereof.
7 The Law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the simple.
8 The Statutes of the LORD are right and rejoice the heart. The Commandment of the LORD is pure and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean and endures forever. The judgments of the LORD are truth. They are righteous altogether,
10 and more to be desired than gold—yea, than much fine gold—sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them your servant is made circumspect, and in the keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his faults? Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep your servant from presumptuous sins, also. Do not let them reign over me. So, shall I be upright and made clean from much wickedness.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD my strength, and my redeemer. To him who excels. A Psalm of David.
5 Now there was a great cry from the people, and from their wives, against their brethren the Jews.
2 For there were those who said, “We, our sons and our daughters, are many. Therefore, let us get grain, so that we may eat and live.”
3 And there were those who said, “We must gage our lands and our vineyards and our houses, and get grain for the famine.”
4 There were also those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute on our lands and our vineyards.
5 “And now, our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, and our sons as their sons. And lo, we bring our sons and our daughters into subjection, as servants. And our daughters are now in subjection. And there is no power in our hands. For other men have our lands and our vineyards.”
6 Then I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7 And I thought in my mind. And I rebuked the princes and the rulers and said to them, “Each of you lays burdens upon his brethren.” And I set a great assembly against them.
8 And I said to them, “We, according to our ability, have redeemed our brethren the Jews who were sold to the heathen. And will you sell your brethren back, or shall they be sold to us?” Then they held their peace and could not answer.
9 I also said, “That which you do is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God for the reproach of the heathen, our enemies?
10 “For even I, my brethren, and my servants, lend them money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury!
11 “Please restore to them this day their lands, their vineyards, their olives, and their houses, and one hundredth of the silver and of the grain, of the wine, and of the oil that you exacted from them!”
12 Then they said, “We will restore it and will not require it of them. We will do as you have said.” Then I called the priests and required an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.
13 So I shook my lap, and said, “So let God shake out every man from His House, and from His labor, who will not perform this promise. Thus let him be shaken out and emptied!” And all the Congregation said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 And the Child grew, and became strong in Spirit, and was filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was with Him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, and they had come up to Jerusalem (after the custom of the feast),
43 and had finished the days and were returning, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And neither Joseph nor his mother, Mary, knew.
44 But they, supposing that He had been in their company, went a day’s journey and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
45 And when they did not find Him, they turned back to Jerusalem and sought Him.
46 And it happened that after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You dealt with us like this? Behold, Your father and I have sought You with very heavy hearts.”
49 Then He said to them, “How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must go about My Father’s business?”
50 But they did not understand the Word that He spoke to them.
51 Then He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. And His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man.
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