Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
127 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the LORD keeps the city, the keeper watches in vain.
2 It is in vain for you to rise early, to lie down late, and eat the bread of sorrow; but He will surely give rest to His beloved.
3 Behold, children are the inheritance of the LORD, the fruit of the womb His reward.
4 As the arrows in the hand of the strong man are the children of youth.
5 Blessed is the man who has his quiver full of them. They shall not be ashamed when they speak with enemies in the gate. A song of degrees
2 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. Therefore, enjoy yourself.” And behold, this also is vanity.
2 I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of joy, “What does it accomplish?”
3 I sought in my heart to give myself to wine while leading my heart in wisdom, and to take hold of folly until I might see what goodness there is for the children of men to do under the heaven all the days of their life.
4 I have made my great works. I have built myself houses. I have planted vineyards.
5 I have made myself gardens and orchards and planted all fruit trees in them.
6 I have made myself cisterns of water with which to water the woods that grow with trees.
7 I have gotten servants and maids and had children in the house. Also, I had a great possession of herds and flocks above all who were before me in Jerusalem.
8 I have also gathered to me silver and gold and the chief treasures of kings and provinces. I have provided myself men singers and women singers and the delights of the sons of men, a woman taken captive and women taken captives.
9 And I was great and increased above all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom remained with me also.
10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not withhold from them. I did not withdraw my heart from any pleasure; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor. And this was my reward for all my labor.
11 Then I looked on all my works that my hands had wrought, and on the work that I had labored to do. And behold, all is vanity and grasping at the wind. And there is no profit under the Sun.
12 And I turned to behold wisdom and madness and folly. For what may the man who will come after the king do except that which men now have done?
13 Then I saw that there is more profit in wisdom than in folly, as the light is more excellent than darkness.
14 For the wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also know that the same condition befalls them all.
15 Then I thought in my heart, “What happens to me, happens to the fool. Therefore, why do I labor to be more wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity.
16 For there shall be no remembrance of either the wise or the fool, forever. For in the days to come, what now is shall all be forgotten. And how does the wise man die? Just as the fool!
17 Therefore, I hated life. For the work that is wrought under the Sun is grievous to me. For all is vanity and grasping at the wind.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered toward them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for that is well-pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
22 Servants, in all things, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service as man-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
23 And whatever you do, work from your soul, as to the Lord, and not to man,
24 knowing that you shall receive the reward of the inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.
25 But the one who does wrong shall be repaid for the wrong that he has done. And there is no respect of persons.
4 Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a master in Heaven.
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