Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Happy is the person who fears the Lord.
    He loves what the Lord commands.
² His descendants will be powerful in the land.
    The children of honest people will be blessed.
³ His house will be full of wealth and riches.
    His goodness will continue forever.

⁴ A light shines in the dark for honest people.
    It shines for those who are good and kind and merciful.
⁵ It is good to be kind and generous.
    Whoever is fair in his business
⁶ will never be defeated.
    A good person will be remembered from now on.
⁷ He won’t be afraid of bad news.
    He is safe because he trusts the Lord.
⁸ That person is confident. He will not be afraid.
    He will look down on his enemies.
⁹ He gives freely to the poor.
    The things he does are right and will continue forever.
    He will be given great honor.

¹⁰ The wicked will see this and become angry.
    They will grind their teeth in anger and then disappear.
    The wishes of the wicked will come to nothing.

¹³ Happiness makes a person smile.
    But sadness breaks a person’s spirit.

¹⁴ Smart people want more knowledge.
    But a foolish person just wants more foolishness.

¹⁵ Every day is hard for those who suffer.
    But a happy heart makes it like a continual feast.

¹⁶ It is better to be poor and respect the Lord
    than to be wealthy and have much trouble.

¹⁷ It is better to eat vegetables with those who love you
    than to eat meat with those who hate you.

“A person must do these things
    to enjoy life and have many, happy days.
He must not say evil things.
    He must not tell lies.
¹¹ He must stop doing evil and do good.
    He must look for peace and work for it.
¹² The Lord sees the good people.
    He listens to their prayers.
But the Lord is against
    those who do evil.” Psalm 34:12-16