Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

126 When Jehovah brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! ² How we laughed and sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

³ Yes, glorious things! What wonder! What joy! ⁴ May we be refreshed^[a] as by streams in the desert.

⁵ Those who sow tears shall reap joy. ⁶ Yes, they go out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, and return singing, carrying their sheaves.

43 But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. ² When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. ³ For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. I gave Egypt and Ethiopia and Seba to Cyrus^[a] in exchange for your freedom, as your ransom. ⁴ Others died that you might live; I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me and honored, and I love you.

⁵ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you from east and west, ⁶ from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the farthest corners of the earth. ⁷ All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory; I created them.

¹⁹ If the Lord is willing, I will send Timothy to see you soon. Then when he comes back, he can cheer me up by telling me all about you and how you are getting along. ²⁰ There is no one like Timothy for having a real interest in you; ²¹ everyone else seems to be worrying about his own plans and not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know Timothy. He has been just like a son to me in helping me preach the Good News. ²³ I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. ²⁴ And I am trusting the Lord that soon I myself may come to see you.